President Yoweri Museveni has today paid a one-day visit to Kenya and held tee-a-tete talks with his host, President Uhuru Kenyatta before the two leaders joined their respective delegations for bilateral talks.
The talks which took place at State House, Nairobi, centred on the proposed laying of an oil pipeline from Western Uganda to the Kenyan Port of Lamu along the Indian Ocean.
The Ugandan delegation included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Kuteesa and that of Energy and Minerals, Hon. Irene Muloni, among others.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of the oil companies that are involved in the petroleum sector in the region.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, in his welcome remarks, congratulated President Museveni upon the recent resounding election victory. I welcome President Museveni to Kenya as it is his first visit since his wonderful victory. We congratulate you, Mr. President, said the Kenyan leader
Speaking at the end of the talks, President Museveni said that they had fruitful deliberations at the meeting between the delegations of the 2 countries Kenya and Uganda on the issue of the oil pipeline development.
President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the discussions were not conclusive adding that officials from the two countries had been tasked to come up with a way forward within 2 weeks time. We have not concluded the talks but we have asked officials to look at a number of issues raised and brief us within 2 weeks in Kampala prior t the Northern Corridor Summit also to be held in Kampala, said President Uhuru Kenyatta. The Kenyan leader also said that the decisions made by the officials must be for the benefit of the people of Kenya, Uganda and East Africa. 'We need to expeditiously develop this important resource for the benefit of the people of East Africa' , he stressed.
Later, President Museveni left for home and was seen off at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by the Kenya Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Amina Mohammed and Ugandas High Commissioner to Kenya, Ms. Angelina Wapakhabulo.
Vice-President, Mr. Edward Kiwanuka Sssekandi, received the President on arrival at Entebbe International Airport this evening. Others at the Airport to receive the President included Head of Public Service, Mr. John Mitala; Col. Charles Lutaaya of Uganda Air Force; the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija and the Director of Interpol, Mr. Assan Kasingye.
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