Museveni, Magufuli discuss infrastructure, trade

President Yoweri Museveni who is in Tanzania for talks with President John Magufuli, has said the recent signing of the peace agreement between rival factions in South Sudan will ensure that peace prevails in the region, and that refugees return home and embark on their normal lives.

"We hope that with the UN support in regards to food and basic essentials, the refuges could return home by January and take advantage of the rains that start in March in order to grow some food," he said.

The two leaders where addressing a joint press conference shortly after a closed door meeting at State House in Dar es Salaam.

Museveni noted that, he briefed his counterpart about the recent signing of the peace agreement in South Sudan and the situation in Burundi about refugees, adding that continued conflict has affected trade and retarded development.

Museveni who is also the current Chairman of the EAC said he requested for the meeting with President Magufuli to brief him about the outcome of the recently concluded BRICS Summit in South Africa during which he made a case for the BRICS countries to invest in the EAC which provides high returns on their investments, higher than Europe, Latin America and Asia.

He stated that: "Investment in infrastructure development is key especially in roads, railway and electricity. The Chinese have already helped us construct two hydropower dams in Karuma which is 600MW and Isimba 183MW."

Museveni further stated that there is need for steel and cement which have a high demand in the construction industry," he said.

He also made a case for direct flights from East Africa to Asia and China saying they would open up markets especially in tourism industry citing that if the EAC brought in one million tourists from China, it would be a huge boost.

Museveni further called for the fast-tracking of the power lines in Kagera saying progress is being made on the Kikagati/Murongo 10 MW Hydro Power project. Reports indicate that the power sharing and sales agreement between TANESCO and UETCL was signed on September 18, 2017.

The Power Purchase Agreement between UETCL and KIKAGATI Power Company Ltd was signed on August 11, 2017, as well as an Implementation Agreement with government.

Information available also indicates that an MOU on Nangoma cross-border electrification project was signed in July 2017 in Bukoba and a contractor has been selected and works are expected to commence in September 2018 and be completed in July 2020.

Museveni also noted that he was happy that the railway line from Moshi to Mwanza was in the pipeline and a wagon ferry from Mwanza to Uganda would bring down transport costs and facilitate trade.

Magufuli on his part stated that said he was happy to host Museveni to Tanzania anytime describing the relationship between Uganda and Tanzania as very strong.

Magufuli pointed out that in their meeting the leaders had they discussed about fast-tracking the oil pipeline construction project from Hoima to Tanga, the refugee situation in Burundi and Tanzania adding that many refuges are now returning to their homes. He commended Museveni who is the lead facilitator on the situation in Burundi and a guarantor of the South Sudan peace process.

He said they also discussed the issue of sugar trade in the region, saying they should guard against too much sugar being dumped in the region and killing the region's industries and employment opportunities. He said that regional leaders must tackle the issue of illicit sugar and smuggling.

Tanzania recently denied entry of 600 tonnes of Ugandan sugar into their country and demanded that the importer should pay taxes of 25% contrary to the EAC Customs Union protocol.

"Our people met and discussed this. We should decide whether we need to grow our industries or becoming dumping grounds," he said.

In July 2018, a Ugandan delegation led by Fredrick Gume Ngobi the minister of state for trade, industry and cooperatives, held a meeting in Mutukula with a Tanzanian delegation led by Charles Mwijage the minister of industries, trade and investment and attended by Charles Tizebwa, the minister of agriculture to discuss the issue.

Magufuli also said in order to boost transport on Lake Victoria, Tanzania is hoping to introduce big ships to replace the former MV Victoria. He said Tanzania has already procured seven planes and three of them have already arrived in the country to ease regional transport.

The two leaders also discussed the upcoming 2nd Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) with Tanzania which will be hosted by Uganda from August 21-23 in Kampala, to review the implementation of decisions agreed upon in various sectors.

Museveni who is in Dar es Salaam for a one day working visit is accompanied by the minister of trade, industry and cooperatives Amelia Ann Kyambadde.