Museveni, EU discuss regional trade, investment

Oct 25, 2018

The EU ambassador consoled the people of Uganda following the landslide disaster in Bududa district in which over 55 people perished and left hundreds displaced

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the European Union (EU) to support Uganda's efforts to relocate people from wetlands and forests and avert environmental degradation and landslides.

"When Sam Kuteesa was at the UN, I tasked him with fundraising for this cause. We want to remove people from the wetlands. He raised $22m. Support us to relocate these people," the President said, adding that the recent landslide in Bududa district has woken up the population there and now they are ready to move.

The President and the EU delegation on Wednesday held their annual political dialogue meeting in accordance with Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership agreement and forms part of regular political dialogue between Uganda and the EU on global, regional and national issues.

The EU ambassador to Uganda, Attilio Pacifici who led the delegation, had earlier consoled the people of Uganda following the landslide disaster in Bududa district in which over 55 people are confirmed to have perished and hundreds displaced.

Pacifici said the EU has already availed maps of Mt Elgon from their world satellite to gather more information.

The delegation included heads of missions of Austria Gunter Engelits, Hugo Verbist of Belgium, Stephanie Rivoal of France, William Carlos of Ireland, Domenico Fornara of Italy, Albrecht Conze of Germany, Peter West of the UK, Jacek Bazariski of Poland, Pavel Rezac of the Czech Republic, Henk Jan Bakker of the Netherlands, Per Lindgarde of Sweden and Majbrit Holm Jacobsen the Charge De Affairs of the Danish embassy.

 

Museveni and the ambassadors talked about regional issues such as security in South Sudan, Somalia and Democratic Republic of Congo, climate change, trade and investment climate among others.

He called upon the ambassadors to encourage companies in their countries to invest in Uganda, citing the need to create employment for the youth. He assured them that he is working with Uganda Investment Authority to stop infighting for investor confidence.

The EU delegation commended Museveni and the government of Uganda for the commitment towards finding peace in the region to facilitate trade and development and hospitality towards refugees.

The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, foreign affairs minister Sam Kuteesa, finance minister Matia Kasaijja, Attorney General William Byaruhanga, security minister Elly Tumwiine and other senior government officials.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});