By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, arrived in Uganda on Monday ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Tuesday.
Tshisekedi, who was accompanied by about 12 ministers from his cabinet, held bilateral talks with Museveni at State House Entebbe, where the two leaders discussed regional security, trade, infrastructure and petroleum cooperation.
According to Museveni, the meeting focused on peace and stability along the common border areas of North Kivu and Ituri in eastern DR Congo, as well as the progress of key road projects aimed at boosting trade and regional integration.
“We held productive discussions on security, trade, infrastructure and petroleum cooperation between our two countries, including peace and stability along the common border in North Kivu and Ituri. We also reviewed the progress of key road projects that are important for trade and regional integration,” Museveni said.
The Ugandan leader commended both governments for signing agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation and improving the livelihoods of citizens in the two countries.
“I commend both sides for signing agreements that will directly benefit our people. African governments should not frustrate wananchi with unnecessary barriers to trade and movement. These agreements are a step in the right direction,” Museveni said.
Museveni also thanked Tshisekedi for attending the inauguration ceremony and for travelling with what he described as a “powerful delegation”.
“I want to thank His Excellency Tshisekedi for two points. Point number one, to show solidarity by coming to attend our ceremony tomorrow. Secondly, I want to congratulate the two sides, but thank His Excellency Tshisekedi for bringing such a powerful delegation and signing documents which affect our lives, our people’s lives,” Museveni added.
Later, Museveni met Mr Nick Checker, a senior bureau official in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, who is representing President Donald Trump at the swearing-in ceremony.
The meeting also took place at State House Entebbe, where Museveni emphasised the need for value addition and industrialisation across Africa.
“We cannot continue exporting raw materials such as coffee, oil and minerals without processing them. Value addition is crucial for expanding Africa’s GDP, creating jobs and increasing the purchasing power of our people,” Museveni said.
He welcomed the U.S. delegation to Uganda and wished them a fruitful stay in the country.
