Five newly accredited envoys to Uganda have presented their credentials to President Yoweri Museveni in separate ceremonies held at State House, Entebbe.
Foreign affairs minister Sam Kuteesa, foreign affairs state minister Henry Okello Oryem and other government officials witnessed the ceremonies during which the French, Belgian, Ghanaian, Thai and Sri Lankan ambassadors presented their credentials to the President.
Museveni welcomed the new French Ambassador, Jules Armand Aniambossou, and told him that Uganda and France have enjoyed a good political relationship for a long time. He said that the collaboration between the two countries should be enhanced further to include economic, water transport and other sectors.
Aniambossou assured the President that France wants to enhance collaborative development ties with Uganda in the priority areas of education, energy and the tourism industry.
Museveni through the new Belgian envoy, Rudi Veestraeten, extended an invitation to Belgian shipbuilding companies to come to Uganda to venture into construction of water transport vessels to serve on Ugandan water bodies. He informed the envoy that Uganda still lacks a water transport system.
“Belgium is known because of its good history and shipbuilding reputation,” he said.
The President also told Veestraeten that the African continent commands a big market potential for Europe. He, therefore, challenged the Western world companies to take advantage of the relationship between Europe and Africa and participate in the development of the natural resources on the continent.
Receiving letters of credence of the new Ghanaian High Commissioner, Ashietey Odunton, Museveni saluted the leadership of Ghana’s political father, Kwame Nkrumah, for leading a political national revolution that was inspirational with regard to economic growth.
Odunton who pledged commitment to work for the strengthening of the relationship between Ghana and Uganda, thanked Museveni for his good heart for the African continent and support for his country’s strategic development.
The President and the new Thai envoy, Cherdkiat Atthakor, discussed issues pertaining to investments, trade, industry, tourism, among others. Museveni encouraged Thai enterprises to participate in Uganda’s market development.
Museveni commended Sri Lanka for achieving an impressive and extensive economic growth, as he received the credentials of that country’s new High Commissioner, Weerawardena Sunil Dharmasena.
