President Jacob Zuma is in Uganda to
strengthen relations with the country.
(Image: The Presidency)
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Bongani Nkosi
Zuma, who arrived there on the evening of 24 March, is being accompanied by more than 30 South African business people and nine government ministers.
“The visit is aimed at further enhancing economic and political relations between the two countries, developments in the East African region as well as multilateral cooperation in the African Union, United Nations and other key forums,” Zuma’s communications advisor Zizi Kodwa said in a statement.
The delegation, which includes Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, is expected to sign bilateral agreements in agriculture, trade, science and technology, and customs cooperation, Kodwa said.
The South African business contingent has been introduced to opportunities in Uganda through a forum co-chaired by trade ministers from both countries. “This will help to expand the areas of economic cooperation”.
Agriculture, tourism, mining and energy, and information and communications technology have been the key areas identified by the South African government to offer “profitable investment opportunities in
Uganda’s Daily Nation newspaper reported that during his visit Zuma would launch the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, a non-profit organisation set up to attract potential investors.
Chairperson of the chamber, Elly Karuhanga, said they expect the South African business delegation to look for ways to become involved in
“Since the discovery of oil,
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni announced the discovery of oil in the country in 2009 and since then prominent firms, such as UK-based Tullow Oil, have landed lucrative deals there.
“The mining, oil and refining of petroleum sector with the discovery of oil in the Lake Albert region also provides new areas of business,” said Zuma, addressing the South Africa-Uganda Business Forum on 25 March.
SA presence in
Mobile phone network operator MTN is currently the leading South African business in
Other South African businesses with a presence in the East African country include Stanbic Bank
“We recognize that South Africans are among the top contributors to foreign direct investment flows to Uganda, and South Africa is firmly entrenched near the top of the list of countries from which Uganda sources imports,” said Zuma.
ANC freedom fighters honoured
Zuma is also scheduled to open the OR Tambo School of Leadership on 26 March, an institution built in the former African National Congress (ANC) military camp in Kawaweta. Named after the ANC stalwart Oliver Tambo, the institution will be used to train
The school, completed last year, has been built by South Africa “as a token of appreciation and gratitude to the government of Uganda for the support and solidarity provided to South Africans in exile during the struggle against apartheid”, said Kodwa.
Zuma will also unveil the South African Wall of Remembrance in the capital city,
“The state visit will build on the excellent relations forged during the struggle against apartheid, when