REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

REMARKS BY HON. JOHN MULIMBA, MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN CHARGE OF REGIONAL COOPERATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA AT THE UGANDA-TANZANIA JPC

 17TH JANUARY 2022, SHERATON HOTEL

Amb. Joseph Edward Sokoine, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation,

Permanent Secretaries,

The Technical team,

Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Government and People of Uganda and on my own behalf, I welcome the delegation from the United Republic of Tanzania to Uganda, Karibuni sana!

I also welcome the Permanent Secretaries present here and the technical team from Uganda to this important 4th Session of the JPC.

The Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania continue to enjoy warm and cordial relations as shown by the High level visits between the two countries. Most recently, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, undertook a three–day State Visit to the United Republic of Tanzania in November, 2021. Prior to this, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, had visited Uganda in April 2021, which was her first trip abroad as President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Let us all make a contribution towards enhancing these relations further.

It should be recalled that we held our last Session of the JPC in September 2019, three and half years ago in Dar es Salaam, where we agreed on a number of decisions, to further strengthen the relations of our two countries. It is for this reason, that we are here today, to review progress towards implementation of our previous decisions and identify new areas of cooperation.

To enhance coordination and reporting mechanism, we agreed to have a mid-term review, every six months at the level of Permanent Secretaries, to review progress made in the implementation of the agreed areas of cooperation and identify new and emerging issues/areas of further cooperation. This has not been possible due to various unavoidable circumstances.

Colleagues,

One of the factors that hinders smooth communication and in turn implementation of decisions is the lack of focal point persons in the different Ministries, Departments and Agencies to coordinate with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries. I therefore, call upon the responsible Ministries of our two countries, to ensure designating focal point persons in MDAs for ease of follow up and to ensure that mid-term reviews are held timely. 

As you may note from the programme, this is a three-day meeting, given the number and importance of the issues to be discussed. It is my sincere hope that, the deliberations are open and frank to achieve the objectives of this JPC Session.

Despite the busy programme, I welcome you all to find time and visit Kampala and its environs to enjoy the touristic aspects and the warm hospitality, rich and diverse cultures and cuisine of Uganda.

On covid -19, the virus is still with us, I urge all participants to observe standard operating procedures as provided by the organizers and the hotel management, including constantly wearing of masks, sanitizing, washing hands and keeping a physical distance. 

I wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you for your attention