President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was officially welcomed to State House, Nairobi, by President William Ruto on Thursday. The visit marked a significant step in strengthening the bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.
The meeting began with a private discussion between the two leaders, focusing on matters of mutual interest and opportunities for cooperation. Following this, President Museveni and President Ruto engaged in bilateral talks with government officials from their respective administrations. The discussions aimed to enhance collaboration in various sectors, including transport and infrastructure, trade and investment, immigration, regional integration, peace and security, and the fight against terrorism.
A major highlight of the meeting was the signing of a tripartite agreement related to the importation and transit of refined petroleum products through Kenya to Uganda. This agreement enables the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) to directly import refined commodities from producers in different jurisdictions, addressing challenges in Uganda’s petroleum sector and leading to enhanced efficiency and reliability.
During the press briefing following the bilateral talks, President Museveni expressed gratitude to President Ruto for the invitation to discuss matters of mutual interest and he acknowledged the importance of bilateral cooperation in fostering regional development and stability and emphasized the need for continued collaboration to address common challenges and seize growth opportunities.
President Museveni provided context to the agreements and protocols signed in the joint communique, emphasizing their alignment with historical missions. He noted that over 60 years ago, when Africa gained independence, there was a lack of proper harmonization regarding the historical mission beyond liberation. The focus was primarily on “Uhuru na Umoja” (Independence and Unity), which was not deeply analyzed or dissected.
However, President Museveni expressed his pleasure in witnessing the gradual crystallization of three historical missions in East Africa today. Integration is now pursued to fight the battle of prosperity through wealth creation and market access. Additionally, he stressed the need for strategic security of Africa through political integration and the concept of brotherhood or “Undugu” as the other two historical missions that should be adopted.
President Ruto expressed his optimism about the signed instruments, emphasizing that they would solidify the already strong relations between Kenya and Uganda.
He highlighted the transformative potential of the agreements, stating that both leaders are fully committed to fulfilling their obligations to maximize benefits for their countries and citizens.
President Museveni’s visit and discussions with President Ruto signify the commitment of Uganda and Kenya to work together towards achieving these historical missions.
The signing of agreements and protocols is a step forward in realizing the shared vision of creating wealth, ensuring market access, and strengthening political integration in the region.