Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in this tour to Uganda addressed the Ugandan Parliament. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, speaking at the India Uganda Business Forum, exhorted the business community from both countries to tap the opportunities available for enhancing trade and investment.

“If I compare India-Uganda trade ties, I can see that we are in a win-win situation,” PM Modi said while addressing the Uganda-India Business Forum here

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Uganda’s capital Kampala on Tuesday evening as part of a two-day visit to the country – the first bilateral tour by an Indian prime minister since 1997. In his speech to the Parliament Modi addressed the Indo-African partnership and how Uganda is instrumental in developing this relationship. India is to build a Gandhi Heritage Centre at the sacred site in Uganda’s Jinja, where a statue of Mahatma Gandhi now stands.

“India is ready to work with Uganda in the fields of capacity building, human resource development, skill development, innovation and also in adding value to the abundant natural resources available in this country,” PM Modi stated.

He has also announced two Lines of Credit for Uganda. The first, of 141 million US dollars for electricity lines. And the second, of 64 million US dollars for agriculture and dairy production. Currently, development partnership currently includes implementation of 180 Lines of Credit worth about USD 11 billion in over 40 African countries. At the last India Africa Forum Summit, we had committed a concessional Line of Credit of 10 billion U.S. dollars and 600 million dollars in grant assistance.

India’s relationship with Uganda has been specifically stated by the PM in his address:

1) Africa will be at the top of India’s priorities and it will intensify and deepen our engagement with Africa towards a sustained and regular development.

2) The partnership will be guided by Ugandan priorities, that will liberate its potential.

3) India to keep its markets open and will support Indian industry to invest in Africa.

4) To harness India’s experience with a digital revolution to support Africa’s development; improve delivery of public services; extend education and health; spread digital literacy; expand financial inclusion; mainstream the marginalised. Also, to equip the youth of Africa for their place in the digital age.

5) To partner with Africa and to work with its agriculture sector.

6)  To overcome the challenges of climate change and, adopt clean and efficient energy sources.

7) To combat terrorism and extremism; keeping our cyberspace safe and secure; and, supporting the UN in advancing and keeping the peace.

8) To keep the oceans open and free for the benefit of all nations. Indian Ocean Security to be cooperative and inclusive, rooted in security and growth for all in the region.

9) To ensure that Africa does not once again turn into a place of rival ambitions but to have a more inclusive growth.

10) The two nations to work together for a just, representative and democratic global order that has a voice and a role for one-third of humanity that lives in Africa and India.

On his part, Mr Museveni, while talking to the business community from both countries to harness the opportunities available for enhancing trade and investment, said: “You are in the right place in the right time.”

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