PM Modi’s Uganda visit renews regional ties

At the invitation of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a state visit to Uganda from July 24-25 - first visit by an Indian PM in 21 years

July 26, 2018

On the occasion, a business event was organised by the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) that was addressed by both the Principals

PM Modi addressed the Ugandan Parliament - a first by an Indian PM; The Prime MInister also addressed a large gathering of Indian community in Kampala, attended by President Museveni

India agreed to build capacity in Uganda’s dairy, health, education, renewable energy, agriculture and defence sector, as well as in establishment of Mahatma Gandhi Heritage centre at Jinja

India’s development partnership in Africa currently includes around 180 lines of credit worth about US$11 billion in over 40 countries; Trade with Africa is now worth over US$62 billion

At the invitation of Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to the African nation from July 24-25, 2018. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior government officials as well as a large business leaders. The trip marked the first state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Uganda in 21 years. During the visit, he held bilateral discussions with President Museveni at State House in Entebbe on 24th July 2018, and addressed the Ugandan Parliament – a first by an Indian PM. On the occasion, a business event was organised by the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) that was addressed by both the Principals. During his stay, PM Modi also addressed a large gathering of Indian community in Kampala.

The trip saw both sides seeking bilateral relations spanning political, economic, commercial, defence, technical, educational, IT, scientific and cultural cooperation. On the occasion, the two Governments signed preliminary bilateral agreements related to (1) Defence Cooperation; (2) Visa exemption for Diplomatic and official passport holders; (3) Cultural Exchange Programme; and (4) Material Testing Laboratory. Meanwhile, India will forward two Lines of Credits for – (1) Construction of electricity lines and Substations worth US$141 million; and (2) US$64 million for Agriculture and Dairy production. India will contribute US$929,705 for capacity building and creating supportive infrastructure for East African Community (EAC), an intergovernmental body of six African nations, currently led by Uganda.

India will also contribute in kind to build capacity and infrastructure in Uganda’s dairy, health, education, renewable energy, agriculture and defence sector, as well as help in establishment of Mahatma Gandhi Convention and Heritage centre at Jinja in the runup to the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. In his meeting with PM Modi, President Museveni praised the contribution of the 30,000-strong Indian diaspora towards Uganda’s national development and economic growth. India’s development partnership in Africa currently includes around 180 lines of credit worth about US$11 billion in over 40 countries. Meanwhile, Indian companies have invested over US$54 billion in Africa and the nation’s trade with Africa is now worth over US$62 billion. This is over 21 per cent more than in the previous year.

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