Oulanyah, diplomats sign condolence book for Belgium victims

Deputy speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, has signed the condolence book opened at the Belgium Embassy on behalf of the Government.

The deputy speaker was among the many high level government officials from various countries, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic coup and the public who turned up at the Belgium Embassy in Kampala yesterday (THURSDAY).

Oulanyah said he went to the Belgium Embassy as a government representative to show solidarity with the people of Belgium. This follows the Tuesday terrorist suicide attacks in Brussels Airport and a subway station in Belgium that killed over 31 people and injured over 100.

"A time like this is a trying time for human beings. When bad things happen we make it lighter by coming together," Oulanyah. He said was in the European Parliament in Belgium three days before the tragic events happened.

There were many representatives from countries that turned up. These included Iran, Western Sahara, European Union, Trinidad and Tobago, British High Commission, Syria Consul in Uganda, Ireland, Italy, Tanzania, Djibouti, North Korea, Germany, DR Congo, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Serbia, Eritrea, and Austria.

Belgium's Ambassador to Uganda Ambassador Hugo Verbist said Uganda and Belgium have strong bilateral cooperation.

"Uganda is on the list of 14 partner countries that continues to receive development cooperation support after the number was reduced from 20 countries," Verbist said. He added humanitarian cooperation continues in all the 20 countries where it is needed.

"The Belgian Technical Cooperation has over 60 people working in Uganda. Development cooperation with Uganda is very strong and it will continue," Verbist said.

He said it was important to make all people feel they are part of society and not excluded from jobs and opportunities. He noted that people who are excluded can be radicalized and used by terrorist to create violence.