President Yoweri Museveni and his Somali counterpart Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Saturday held discussions at State House, Entebbe. The talks centred on areas of co-operation between Somalia and Uganda, particularly on peace, security, defence, education, trade and investment. President Mohamed, who was on a one-day official visit to Uganda at the invitation of President Museveni, expressed happiness that the situation in Somalia has improved tremendously, in spite of the alShabaab terrorists’ menacing behaviour in the south of Somalia and the negative media reports.
He commended the co-operation in defence and the support extended by the African Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) in the transformation of the country. Mohamed noted that the Tripartite Agreement that had been concluded in September 2018 among Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia is being implemented. He said it had greatly led to the economic development of the three states. He said if the objectives of the agreement framework are achieved, the initiative would facilitate the resolution of political differences and end conflict in the Horn of Africa.
Museveni, who warmly welcomed his Somali counterpart to Uganda, commended him for the timely conclusion of the Tripartite Agreement, saying it was a step in the right direction of ensuring peace, stability and prosperity of the region.
“It is the right way to go in the Horn of Africa and it is what I have been advocating all this time,” he said.
The two leaders noted the existing bond of friendship and mutually beneficial relations between Uganda and Somalia. State ministers for defence, Charles Okello Engola and Grace Kwiyucwiny (northern Uganda), the Somali chief of staff, Aamino Said Ali and presidential advisor, Balal Mohamed Ausman, attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Museveni is in Nairobi, Kenya to attend the high level global conference on Sustainable Blue Economy that focuses on water bodies. Museveni was yesterday morning seen off at Entebbe International Airport by the presidency minister, Esther Mbayo; head of Public Service, John Mitala; air force commander Maj. Gen. Charles Lutaaya; Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr Johnson Byabashaija and Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Sorowen.
