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Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has praised Uganda’s embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, for its efforts in strengthening trade and bilateral relationships between Uganda and South Africa. He also extended his appreciation to Uganda’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Paul Amoru, for his unwavering dedication to advancing Uganda’s economic and developmental agenda, as well as for enhancing government-to-government ties.
Tayebwa, who also serves as the Ruhinda North MP, shared that he engaged in fruitful discussions with High Commissioner Amoru on Thursday, February 15, at his office in Parliament. These discussions centered on Uganda’s key interests within the six countries under Amoru’s accreditation, which include Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini.
A press release from Uganda’s High Commission in Pretoria, issued on Friday, conveyed Amoru’s gratitude towards Deputy Speaker Tayebwa for his leadership and support. Amoru reiterated his commitment to promoting commercial and economic diplomacy, emphasizing the deepening of bilateral ties and the provision of diligent service to Ugandans and friends of Uganda within his area of accreditation.
The press release highlighted several milestones achieved by the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria over the past year. Notable among these was the successful hosting of the 2nd Session of the Uganda-South Africa Joint Commission of Cooperation in both Kampala and Pretoria in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Additionally, it mentioned President Yoweri Museveni’s state visit to South Africa in 2023, along with successful trade, tourism, and investment summits between Uganda and South Africa held in Johannesburg and Kampala.
Furthermore, Uganda secured an agreement on a roadmap for visa waivers for holders of ordinary passports, and a Business Forum was organized in partnership with WESGRO in Western Cape. November 2023 marked a significant occasion with the inaugural convention of Ugandans in Southern Africa, reflecting the growing presence and influence of Uganda’s community in the region.
The release noted a crucial mission to Uganda by scientists from Botswana, coordinated by Ambassador Amoru, aimed at facilitating a vital bilateral meeting between President Museveni and his Botswana counterpart. This collaboration seeks to address animal health and disease control, particularly focusing on foot and mouth disease, which could have substantial benefits for Uganda’s export value of agricultural products such as milk and beef.