French President Expresses Solidarity With Museveni Ahead of Swearing-in Ceremony

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed solidarity with his Ugandan counterpart through a message ahead of the Ugandan leader’s swearing-in ceremony later this month.

Following his victory in the January 14 presidential election, Museveni will on May,12 be sworn in for the sixth term

In the message, Macron has pledged to work with him to strengthen the political and economic relationship between the two countries.

“Following your re-election as the President of the Republic of Uganda, I would like to wish you and all Ugandans every success in your new term,” Macron said in the letter.

“I know how much you have cherished the ideal of a modern and independent Uganda since assuming the office of the Head of State in Uganda. I also know to what extent, under your impetus, Uganda has been transformed and has experienced unprecedented economic and human development.”

According to Macron, the French government will continue supporting Uganda in her aspirations to create a better country for everyone.

“I sincerely hope that your new term of office will be an opportunity to deepen the friendship between our two countries, and to develop a relationship of trust in all areas of mutual interest, both political and economic,” Macron said.

“ I, therefore, hope that the coming years will allow us to cultivate our bilateral dialogue on strategic issues for both countries, especially in supporting the peace process in South Sudan, the stabilization of Somalia and the easing of tensions in the great Lakes region.”

France and Uganda have strong bilateral cooperation including in military partnership under which the French army provides assistance to train the UPDF for the AMISOM, training Ugandan officers in France or in other military schools in Africa.

In the letter to President Museveni, Macron said he also wants to fast-track the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline noting it will be a major opportunity to intensify trade between the two countries and to further expand their cooperation.

“The spirit of dialogue, mutual esteem and respect will enable us to strengthen our bilateral relationship. You can count on me to mobilize French expertise and investors to increase the French economic presence in Uganda and thus give substance to this relationship,” Macron said.

According to the French president, to further affirm this, he is set to delegate his Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, Frank Rieser, to visit Uganda later this year in a bid to intensify the relationship.

The visit will follow the singing of the final investment decision between Uganda, Tanzania and oil companies including Total(France) and CNOOC(China) to commence construction of the pipeline and exploitation of the oil.

“This will be a major opportunity to intensify trade between our two countries and to further expand our cooperation,” he said.

According to United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, in 2020, Uganda imported from France goods worth US$51.19million while the East African country exported goods worth US$8.98million during the same time to France.