EU Delegate Reylandt Says Farewell

By Sylvia Mpaulo and Gilbert Awekofua PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has commended ambassador Bernard Ryelandt for working to strengthen ties between Uganda and the European Union (EU). Museveni also expressed appreciation to the European Union for assistance to Uganda. He was speaking at separate meetings with Ryelandt, the outgoing European Union delegate, the German ambassador, Klaus Holderbaum, and the US ambassador, Martin Brennan, who had called on him at his Kisozi ranch in Mpigi district, on Wednesday. Museveni first met Ryelandt who called on him to take leave at the end of duties in Uganda. Ryelandt who is set to retire, told Museveni that he was happy to have worked in Uganda. He praised the Government and the people of Uganda for the hospitality accorded to him during his term of office. He said he was happy to leave Uganda at a time when many of the programmes initiated during his time have been implemented. Ryelandt said he was also happy the situation in northern Uganda has improved and said there is hope for the people of Gulu and other parts of the north. Museveni also met Holderbaum and Brennan with whom he discussed matters of mutual interest. Meanwhile, Col. Kahinda Otafiire, the regional cooperation minister, has commended Ryelandt for his role in developing co-operation in Uganda and world-wide. Otafiire said yesterday at a dinner to honour Ryelandt at the Nile Hotel, that Uganda welcomes EU’s pronouncements for greater markets access to the Least Developed Countries (LDC). He said the EU is Uganda’s largest donor and it’s greatest export market. In attendance were the dean of the diplomatic corps, Abdallah Bujeldain, Libyan ambassador, those of the Netherlands, Belgium, the French charge d’Affaires, the Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner General of and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ralph Ochan. Otafiire also said the unique development partnership between the EU and the countries in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific regions, has had tremendous impact on the socio-economic conditions of the developing world. Ryelandt, who also bid farewell to works transport and communications minister, John Nasasira, said EU has earmarked about US$150m for the transport sector. He said the money provided under the new global supply to road programme is expected to be ready by either 2002 or 2003. He said part of the money will be for upgrading the road from Kampala to Rwanda. The meeting took place in the minister’s office on Old Port Bell Road. Ends