State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, met the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Uganda, H.E Alemtsehay Meseret, on Tuesday morning.
Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Twitter that the duo discussed ways of strengthening the relations between the two countries.
“Hon Okello Oryem, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, this morning held a meeting with H.E. Alemtsehay Meseret, the Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia who paid a courtesy call to discuss ways of further bolstering the excellent bilateral relations between Uganda and Ethiopia,” posted the Ministry on Twitter.
They further addressed bilateral partnership, and the many diplomatic, strategic, and economic relations between Uganda and Ethiopia.
Ethiopia and Uganda have been cooperating in various peace processes in the region.
In August this year, the UPDF Commander Land Forces, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, while on an official visit on the invitation of the Government of Ethiopia. toured Africa’s largest hydroelectric power generator, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), located in Ethiopia.
He said the stability of East Africa depends on two countries – Ethiopia and Uganda.
“The River Nile begins from these two mothers of Africa. I am going to Ethiopia to try and bring understanding between us.”
Last year in August, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Dr Abiy Ahmed Ali, held talks with President Yoweri Museveni, at State House Entebbe on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Abiy was in Uganda for a one day working visit at the invitation of President Museveni.
After the meeting, President Museveni said they agreed to walk together on strengthening matters of common interest.
On Heroes’ day in Uganda in 2018, Abiy who was a special guest of President Museveni, was honoured with the Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa medal, Uganda’s highest accolade given to a Head of State at a special National Heroes Day by President Museveni.
The award was in recognition of Abiy’s immense contribution to the independence struggle of Africa.
In return, Abiy gave Museveni a colourful Ethiopian made white jacket with black and red stripes, which are the traditional colours of the Oromo people in Ethiopia.
Addressing crowds gathered for the occasion, Dr Abiy noted “Our relationship is built on a strong foundation of understanding and mutual respect not to interfere with each others internal affairs.”