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News Release

Uganda And DRC Sign Joint Bilateral Agreement
2007-09-09

President Yoweri Museveni and President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, last night signed a joint bilateral co-operation agreement aimed at establishing peace and security in both countries and normalizing their relations and strengthening their co-operation.

The historic Ngorodoto Agreement was reached after a 2-day special summit convened by the Tanzanian leader President Jakaya Kikwete at Ngorodoto Mountain and Country Club in Arusha. Mr. Kikwete also witnessed the signing of the documents.

The landmark agreement covered areas of defence and security, economic co-operation as well as political and diplomatic co-operation.

At the end of the special summit, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo also issued a joint communiqué in which President Yoweri Museveni congratulated President Kabila and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo upon the successful completion of the political transition in that country.

He pledged the support and co-operation of the government and the people of Uganda to the government and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 2 Presidents also renewed their commitment to the promotion of good neighbourliness, peace and security in their countries and the region.

They agreed to re-affirm the respect of the sovereignty of states and the inviolability of borders inherited from colonialism. They, however, agreed on the creation of a joint committee tasked with re-marking the common border.

Meanwhile, Rukwanzi Island in Lake Albert, is to be de-militarised and a joint administration with the presence of a joint police force, be established.

The 2 Presidents committed themselves to promote co-operation in the joint exploration and exploitation of trans-boundary hydro-carbons and to review the existing agreement of co-operation in the exploration of hydro-carbons and exploitation of the common fields signed in June 1990.

Regarding the case involving the 2 countries and the decision of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, the 2 countries agreed to put in place an adhoc joint committee to examine the practical modalities of its execution.

In his remarks after the signing of the agreement and the presentation of the joint communiqué, President Yoweri Museveni said “the collaboration reflected in the agreement is a fantastic achievement for both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and a tiding up of the mess of the past caused by unelected governments which were not, therefore, accountable to the people”.

He said that with the completion of the democratic elections in the Great Lakes region, governments are now answerable to the people and cannot afford endless insecurity because the people will vote them out.

Commenting on the border issues, Mr. Museveni said it was embarrassing for Pan-African leaders to have to refer to maps and agreements made in European capitals. He said “we must see how to move beyond this colonial paradigm and push our own agenda like greater integration so that these borders are transcended and the people live in peace across these boundaries”.

On the issue of petroleum, President Museveni said this was a new opportunity to help the region develop further. He said huge amounts of good quality petroleum and gas have so far been found in over 6% of the exploration area in Uganda. He said he was glad that the Democratic Republic of Congo had agreed with Uganda on how to move forward and assured that the proceeds of the oil will not be misused.

The President also talked about value addition to other mineral resources and said that “the establishment of a joint gold refinery would emancipate our countries from modern slavery where we sell unprocessed gold at US$23 per ounce yet it could fetch US$400 an ounce when processed’.

He said other minerals like coltran, cobalt and uranium should also be processed in the region.

On his part, President Kabila said the Democratic Republic of Congo delegation came to Arusha with a vision for peace in the DRC, Uganda and the Great Lakes region and a mission to enforce the agreements already in place between Uganda and the DRC aimed at creating fundamentals for peace and development.

Mr. Kabila said the agreement they had just concluded was a testimony of the determination of President Museveni and himself to make peace in the 2 countries.

Host President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania said a new chapter of co-operation between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda had been opened by the Arusha agreement which he said is crowned with the success of the 3 leaders and their delegations as anticipated right from the beginning of their talks. He said Tanzania was ready to do everything to see the successful implementation of the Ngorodoto Agreement.

The 3 leaders looked forward to the next meeting that they hoped would be hosted either in Kampala or Kinshasa to review progress made in implementing what has been agreed upon in Arusha. They also exchanged copies of the signed agreement.

The 2-day summit was attended by high powered ministerial delegations led by their respective Foreign Affairs Ministers.

President Museveni left Arusha and was seen off at Kilimanjaro International Airport by Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mr. Bernard Membe, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania Mr. Ibrahim Mukiibi, MPs Oleny Charles Ojok and Bako Christine Abia and Uganda Military Attaché to the East African Community Brigadier Tolit as well as other senior government and military officials.

President Museveni was received on arrival at Entebbe International Airport by Deputy Head of Public Service, Ms. Hilda Musubira, the Deputy Chief of the Defence Forces, Lt. General Ivan Koreta and the Commissioner General of Prisons Dr. Johnson Byabashaija.
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News Release


President Meets IMF Delegation

2007-09-25
President Yoweri Museveni has said that the Ugandan economy has continued to grow at a rate of 6.5% per annum despite the problem of electricity shortage. The President said this during a meeting with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who called on him at State House, Nakasero. The delegation was led by the IMF Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Takatoshi Kato. Mr. Museveni told his visitors that the country now needs modern infrastructure, especially railway transport and roads, to enhance competitiveness in trade. He said the government of Uganda is now in the process of laying strategies to generate power on anticipation unlike in the past when electricity was generated on demand. The President regretted to note that floods have caused devastating effects in Eastern and Northern Uganda. He, however, noted that the rains have boosted water levels in the country.
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President Addresses Inter-University Guild Council

2007-09-24
President Yoweri Museveni has said that Makerere University Business School (MUBS) is under Makerere University and the current wrangles, therefore, are not called for as this was the decision of government right from the inception of Nakawa-based MUBS. The President, who was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Janet Museveni, made the clarification while addressing the Inter-University Students’ Guild Council seminar at the Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA) hall, Lugogo in Kampala. The seminar ran under the theme “Role of the Youth in Social, Political and Economic Transformation of the Country”.

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President Attends 12th Empango

2007-09-23
The Kingdom of Tooro marked the 12th coronation (empango) anniversary of the Omukama of Tooro Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi the 4th at the Karuziika (place) in Fort Portal. The annual event is dedicated to celebrating the kingdom’s continuity and peace. President Yoweri Museveni was the chief guest during the celebrations. He warned against mixing politics with the affairs of the kingdom. He said politicians are always being attacked and added that he would not like to see this happening to traditional institutions ..more



“Education For All is For Development” – Museveni

2007-09-20
President Yoweri Museveni has said the government the Education for All programme that has been instituted by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is aimed at promoting and ensuring development for wananchi in Uganda. The President was speaking in a meeting at State House, Nakasero with a visiting delegation of the Commonwealth Secretariat Team of Experts. The delegation was led by the Speaker Emeritus of the Tanzanian National Assembly Rt. Hon. Pius Musekwa. ..more



President Assures On Quality Cotton Products’ Market

2007-09-20
President Yoweri Museveni has said that Uganda has a high potential of producing and processing organic cotton into high quality clothes for export market. The President revealed this at State House, Nakasero during a meeting with a delegation of entrepreneurs from South African based Cool Ideas Company. The delegation was led by Cool Ideas Director Ms. Belinda Edmonds. Mr. Museveni said that Uganda is capable of providing immense opportunities in various fields of production including the beef sector.
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President Receives Assistant Chinese Minister

2007-09-18
President Yoweri Museveni has stressed the need to strengthen further the economic co-operation between the People’s Republic of China and Uganda especially in the agro-processing, textile production, fish processing and information technology sectors The President was speaking during a meeting he held with the visiting Chinese Assistant Minister of Commerce Mr. Fu Ziying. The meeting took place at the President’s Kisozi farm in Mpigi district. Mr. Museveni, who hailed the ever growing excellent bilateral relationship between Uganda and China, said that the country commands a very big agricultural potential and a vast natural resource base. ..more



President Meets Gomba County Leaders

2007-09-15
President Yoweri Museveni has called on Members of Parliament throughout the country to spearhead the campaign against poverty by actively participating in training wananchi using materials from the National Agricultural and Development Services (NAADS) and local extension workers. The President was addressing political and religious leaders from Gomba County in Mpigi district who called on him at his Kisozi farm. Mr. Museveni observed that in the past, a lot of money from NAADS had been spent on training farmers. He, however, stressed that the strategy should change to using the funds for purchasing items like suckers, seeds or fertilizers to empower people to start serious production programmes.
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No Delays On Supply Of Electricity” - Museveni

2007-09-13
President Yoweri Museveni has said that government will not accept any delays in the provision of electricity to the national grid. The President was speaking during a meeting with the visiting World Bank Country Director, Mr. John Murray McIntire at State House, Nakasero. He said work must start on the Karuma power station soon and remain ahead of the national electricity demand. Mr. Museveni also emphasized that Uganda must have a modern railway network to the sea adding that “without fast transport, export costs would remain high”. He emphasized that the World Bank in collaboration with the government of Uganda should concentrate on the construction of durable roads in the country.
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President Fundraises For St. Jude Catholic Church, Bukoto Masaka

2007-09-11
Over Shs.34 million was realized in a fundraising drive held to raise money for the roofing of St. Jude Bukoto Catholic Church in Kabonera sub-county, Masaka district.
President Yoweri Museveni who was the chief guest at the ceremony donated Shs.10 million. The area MP who is also the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Edward Sekandi, the deputy Speaker, the Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadago together with other members of parliament present contributed over six million shillings.
Items mobilized for auctioning by the lay people from the parish together with friends from beyond the parish included 7 cows, 45 goats, 125 chickens, a variety of food stuffs as well as a presidential portrait and Virgin Mary’s picture. ..more



Uganda And DRC Sign Joint Bilateral Agreement

2007-09-09
President Yoweri Museveni and President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, last night signed a joint bilateral co-operation agreement aimed at establishing peace and security in both countries and normalizing their relations and strengthening their co-operation. The historic Ngorodoto Agreement was reached after a 2-day special summit convened by the Tanzanian leader President Jakaya Kikwete at Ngorodoto Mountain and Country Club in Arusha. Mr. Kikwete also witnessed the signing of the documents. The landmark agreement covered areas of defence and security, economic co-operation as well as political and diplomatic co-operation. ..more



Uganda & DRC Begin Summit In Arusha

2007-09-08
A special summit on Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) opened in Arusha, Northern Tanzania attended by President Yoweri Museveni and his DRC counterpart President Joseph Kabila.The summit is under the chairmanship of host President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania. The summit, held after the 2 heads of state requested President Kikwete to host it, is discussing outstanding issues between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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President Leaves For Arusha Tanzania

2007-09-07
President Yoweri Museveni is in the Northern Tanzania town of Arusha on a 2-day working visit during which he will attend a special summit between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The President was received at Kilimanjaro International Airport by the Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Bernard Membe, Uganda Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sam Kutesa and Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania Mr. Ibrahim Mukiibi.
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President Urges DRC Not To Harbour Terrorists

2007-09-05
President Yoweri Museveni has urged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) not to accept being used as ground by groups that are hostile to neighbouring countries. The President made the call at State House, Nakasero during a meeting with a visiting American government delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Ms Jendayi Frazer. Mr. Museveni urged the DRC to apprehend the Lord’s Resistance Army on its territory to ensure that the group goes to the assembly areas in order to further facilitate the ongoing peace process that is taking place in Juba, Southern Sudan. The President was optimistic that the peace process between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army would succeed. ..more



“Government To Give Free Legal Services” – Museveni

2007-09-05
President Yoweri Museveni has said that government will avail free legal services to victims of land evictions in order to curb that hideous practice which has rendered many people landless. The President, who is continuing his tour of Luweero Triangle Bonna Bagaggawale sensitization programme, was addressing the people of Kiryabyoya village, Nakitoma Sub-County in Nakasongola district. He also noted that tenants have been evicted from their land by unscrupulous landowners due to ignorance on the part of the tenants. Mr. Museveni clarified that the law stipulates that a tenant who occupied land 12 years before the promulgation of the 1995 constitution, cannot be evicted. ..more



“Zirobwe- Wobulenzi Road To Be Repaired” – Museveni

2007-09-04
President Yoweri Museveni has assured the people of Uganda that government will continue to channel funds to the grass-root level in the country through the Local Government Development Programme LGDP), the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), the Micro-Finance scheme, among others, to assist people increase household income. The President was speaking at two separate rallies held at Kamira Primary School in Kamira Sub-County and at Kiziba Primary School in Kikyusa Sub-county of Bamunanika County in Luweero district. ..more



“Govt. To Follow Up On NAADS Funds” – Museveni

2007-09-01
President Yoweri Museveni has said that government is going to make a follow up of the funds released to sub-counties under the National Agricultural and Advisory Services (NAADS) as a way of ascertaining its proper use. “More money has been sent through NAADS. Government will make a follow up to see that the people trained and facilitated by NAADS put the money to proper use”, said the President to the people of Nakaseke. The President was meeting wananchi of Kirema, Kabugwe and Mijenje villages of Semuto Sub-County in Nakaseke district. Mr. Museveni is currently on a tour of Luweero Triangle to sensitize people on Bonna Bagaggawale programme. ..more



President Tours Wakiso District

2007-08-29
President Yoweri Museveni has said that the rate of growth that Uganda has achieved is a result of the continued support to the NRM government that the people of Luweero Triangle enkindled right from the time of the protracted armed people’s struggle over 20 years ago. The President was addressing people of Kira Town Council, Jjanda village and Nansana-Bujuuko in Wakiso district. Mr. Museveni is on a tour of the district specifically to sensitize the people on the “Bonna Bagaggawale” (Prosperity for All) programme. He gave Shs.10 million each to the people of Jjanda and Nansana – Bujuuko areas to help them start income generating activities. ..more



“UPDF to Help Establish Somali State pillars” – Museveni

2007-08-29
President Yoweri Museveni has said that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF’s) role in Somalia is to help the Somali people restore that country’s State pillars. The President disclosed this during a meeting at State House, Nakasero, with American Senator Ross Feingold who has been in Uganda on a 3-day visit. During his stay in the country, Senator traveled to Gulu district to personally assess the humanitarian situation in Northern Uganda and was able to visit Internally Displaced People Camps (IDPCs) in the area and was impressed by the Government’s intervention measures to assist the people there to resettle.
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President Calls For Agro-Based Industries

2007-08-29
President Yoweri Museveni has called for the establishment of more agro-based processing industries in Uganda. The President made the remark at State House, Nakasero in a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of a Danish company, Apmoeller/Maersk Group, which specializes in the shipping business.
Mr. Museveni urged the group to attract more investors to Uganda to process the abundant agricultural produce, like fruits and foods, into value added products for domestic, regional and international markets. He said that increased volume of processed products would go a long way in reducing the cost of transport to Mombasa Port.
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“Conservation Is A Must” – Museveni

2007-08-27
President Yoweri Museveni has reiterated that sustainable conservation of the fauna and flora of Uganda can only be achieved after the crucial issues of electrification and industrialization have been permanently addressed. The President was closing a 4-day Leadership for Conservation Africa (LCA) Council meeting at Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park, in newly established Amuru district. The 2nd council meeting that attracted participants from over 15 countries in Africa as well as outside the continent, aimed at bringing together the business community and conservationists to ensure that the environment is conserved in a sustainable way for future generations. ..more



President Meets Austrian Delegation

2007-08-25
President Yoweri Museveni has met a delegation from the Province of Carintia in Austria at State House, Nakasero. The delegation was led by Ms. Olivia Mugabe, a programmes’ director of A – Z Austria – Uganda, based in Austria. The NGO, which trains people in Luweero in income generating activities, is supported by the government of Austria. Among the delegation were Mr. Quendher Peter, Hebein Peter and Runpold Achill from the government of Austria, Carinthia Province, among others, and the representative of the Minister of Agriculture from Carinthia Mr. Martin Joseph. ..more



President Receives DRC Delegation

2007-08-25
President Yoweri Museveni received a delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who called on him at State House, Nakasero. The delegation was led by the DRC Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Mbusa Nyamisi. The President and his visitors discussed matters related to peace and security in both countries. On the issue of petroleum in both countries, President Museveni told the delegation that Uganda has now trained people in that field who have the experience which the government of DRC can share in order not to be cheated by foreign companies during time of exploration.
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No LRA presence in CAR – Bozize

2007-08-23
President Francois Bozize of the Central African Republic has denied any presence of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in his country and added that his government investigated the allegations by media reports and found no truth in them. President Bozize was responding to questions from the press at a joint press conference he held with his host President Yoweri Museveni at State House, Nakasero. Mr. Bozize also informed journalists that his country is currently engaged in resolving internal challenges that might not allow her to send troops to the troubled Darfur region in the Sudan. ..more



President Bozize Lectures Kimaka Army College

2007-08-22
The visiting Central African Republic President Mr. Francois Bozize has underscored the important role played by the army in the maintenance of peace and stability in African nations geared towards development. General Bozize, who was accompanied by his host President Yoweri Museveni, was the guest speaker at the Senior Command and Staff College, Kimaka in Jinja. General Bozize said that for Africa to realize development and her dream of a United States of Africa, the army was very crucial in the process because it is the vanguard of peace and stability that is required to achieve that goal. ..more



President Bozize Arrives In Uganda

2007-08-22
President Francois Bozize of the Central African Republic has started a 2-day state visit to Uganda. President Bozize, who is accompanied by his wife Mrs. Monique Bozize, was received on arrival at Entebbe International Airport this morning by his host President Yoweri Museveni. Others at the airport to receive President Bozize included Minister for Presidency Mrs. Beatrice Wabudeya, that of Security Mr. Amama Mbabazi, of Education and Sports Mrs. Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire and of State for International Affairs Mr. Okello Oryem.

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