Uganda, Cuba open gates for each other's citizens

PIC: The Vice-President of Uganda, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi(R) and his Cuba counterpart, Salvador Valdes Mesa during a meeting at the Vice President's Office in Kampala on October 5, 2016. Photo by Roderick Ahimbazwe

Kampala and Cuba have agreed to open-up their gates for citizens of both countries to visit each other in a bid to boost bilateral relations and trade.

The Vice-President of Uganda, Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi told his Cuba counterpart, Salvador Valdes Mesa that Uganda is open for Cubans anytime.

Ssekandi noted that for Cubans to be able to understand and appreciate Uganda's good investment potential, they need to come and visit the East African country.
"We have a saying that "seeing is believing" and that's why I am urging you to ask your people to first come and visit Uganda," Ssekandi said.

On the other hand, Salvado who has been in Uganda  on a two-day state visit asked Kampala to open up her embassy in Havana to tighten bilateral ties between the two countries.

Salvado revealed that following the improved relaxations in embargos between the US and Cuba; many African countries are scrambling to open up embassies in Havana.

Some of the African countries which he said have already opened embassies in Havana are Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Seychelles.

Salvado made the remarks on Wednesday while meeting Ssekandi at his offices in Kampala.  
The Cuban VP also praised Uganda for standing with his country whenever they have tabled a draft resolution to the UN; calling for an end to the US blockade which the country says is contrary to the international law.

In 1962 after the Soviet Union placed nuclear weapons in Cuba, the US protested and established a blockade around Havana to prevent any other offensive weapons from entering the country.

The blockade has since jeopardized trade relations between Cuba and other countries hence affecting her economy.

Ssekandi thanked Cuba for the assistance the country has rendered to Uganda especially in the health sector.

He noted that Mbarara University of Science and Technology is one of the beneficiaries of Cuba's assistance to Uganda in the health sector with about six doctors from the country stationed there.

Ssekandi also assured Salvado that Uganda will continue to stand with Cuba on international fora. He said the country is proud to back Cuba because the latter doesn't change colours depending on situations, like other development partners.
Salvador, who is in Africa to revamp his country's relationship with old allies and establish new ties was meant to meet President Yoweri Museveni after interacting with Ssekandi.

Salvador came to Uganda after visiting Zimbabwe and from Uganda he will tour three other African countries including Botswana, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Cuba-Uganda relations
In 2014, Uganda and Cuba marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

According to Uganda's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the friendship between the two countries has stood the test of time in the last 42 years.

The Ministry says the two countries have supported each other at international fora through the Non Allied Movement, G77 and at the UN to defend and protect their strategic political and economic interests.