Museveni meets Somalia's First Lady

President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday held a meeting with the First Lady of Somalia Saynab Abdi Moallim at State House Entebbe during which the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest between their two countries.

Moallim is in Uganda on a two-day working visit during which she will attend the official commissioning of Atiak Sugar Factory in Amuru district that will be presided over by President Museveni on Thursday.

Atiak Sugar Factory started production, four years after completion in Gem Pachilo village, Atiak sub-county. The factory co-owned by Horyal Investments Holding Company Ltd and the government of Uganda aims at creating jobs for the youth and opportunities for farmers recovering from the LRA conflict.

Museveni welcomed Moallim to Uganda and said he was happy that came she found time to co-officiate at the commissioning of the factory established by Somali entrepreneur Dr Amina Hersi Moghe.

The President said the project will explore business opportunities between Uganda and Somalia, noting that trucks transporting goods from the coast to Sudan, would now return to the coast with sugar and sugar products.

He called on the people of Somalia to unite and look at the common good of the people instead of focusing on tribes and clans.

"When the NRM came into power in 1986, the country was divided by religion and tribe. Somalia is united in religion but disunited by clans. Let's look at the common good of our people. This factory will boost trade and developments between our nations" he said.

The meeting was attended by among others Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid, Somali Ambassador to Uganda Ali Mohamud, and advisor Nasra Wehliye Malin.

Other officials included Moghe and officials from Somalia and Uganda government and NRM officials.