President Yoweri Museveni, who arrived in France yesterday for a two-day working visit, has held a meeting with his French counterpart Mr. Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace in Paris, the French Capital.
President Museveni, who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, first inspected a guard of honour before he held bilateral talks with his host.
President Hollande thanked the Government of Uganda for supporting the various French investors in Uganda saying they had reported to him about Uganda’s hospitality and courtesy.
France, said President Hollande, would increase its support to Uganda through various projects under the Agency for French Development. He cited infrastructure projects like the Jinja – Kampala Express Highway and any other projects that the Government of Uganda will propose.
President Hollande commended Uganda for its outstanding role in helping restore order to Somalia and the region generally. Uganda is the key contributor of troops to the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which have been critical in flushing out Al-Shabaab out of Mogadishu.
President Hollande promised continued military cooperation and support with Uganda. The French Army has been key in helping the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) create an Alpine Brigade tasked with securing the country’s mountains.
President Museveni, on his part, thanked President Hollande for inviting him to Paris. On behalf of Uganda, he condoled with the French people over the recent terrorist attacks in France in which a number of people were killed.
Terrorism, President Museveni said, was a product of ideological disorientation, emphasizing that besides fighting terrorists, the question of pseudo-ideology must be addressed. He thanked his French counterpart for his country’s continued military cooperation and support, noting that the Alpine Brigade will also be a buffer to security on water bodies.
President Museveni said Uganda would continue supporting French investors, pointing out that there were opportunities in the provision of solar energy and supporting water projects on River Kagera.
President Museveni extended an invitation to President Hollande to visit Uganda, which the French leader gladly accepted.
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