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HIGH COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE

H.E. Brig. (Rtd) Matayo Kyaligonza, High Commissioner

This day reminds us about the political victory attained by Ugandan patriots and freedom fighters against colonialism.

Since we attained independence on October 09 1962, Uganda has made remarkable progress. It is true that the first two and half decades were largely a lost opportunity due to the disruptions and misguided policies of the bad regimes. Uganda has learnt valuable lessons from its past, and is using that experience to build and safeguard the future.

When the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Government under H.E. President Yoweri Museveni came to power 18 years ago, it ushered in a fundamental change of economic development, security, and the rule of law.

The NRM government has made tremendous achievements in developing a culture of good governance through participatory democracy and tolerance to the critics and that is how NRM has been able to build the viable democratic institutions.

In this regard, NRM government has conducted two democratic, free and fair Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections. We are due to hold another general election in 2006 under a Multi-Party System.

The Government of Uganda has gone a long way in stabilizing the economic and social welfare of her people, which have contributed to her economic growth with an average of 5-7% of GDP for over a decade.

The economy is now liberalized, sound macro-economic policies are implemented, and an attractive investment regime has been put in place. HIV/Aids has been reduced from a national average of about 18% in the 1990s to about 6.8% at present. As you are aware, Uganda championed and took the bold stand to declare the prevalence of HIV/AIDS scourge in the 1980s. We are confident that the scourge is now tamed as we follow the known correct
methods of control.

Uganda is also happy to know that some Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya are about to produce Anti-retrovial drugs that will be affordable by HIV/Aids patients in East Africa.

I am optimistic that the residual retrogressive insurgency of Kony in Northern Uganda will soon be history. There has been remarkable success by the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and with the cooperation of the Government of Sudan, Kony has been flushed out of his hideouts and is on the run. In the same vein, the NRM Government is determined to fight all forms of terrorism by ensuring that all people who live and work in Uganda are guaranteed their rights and full protection.

After the coming into power of the NARC Government led by His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki through a peaceful electoral process, Uganda has enjoyed excellent and cordial relations with Kenya.

We applaud the NARC Government for implementing pro-people programs such as Free Primary Education, providing clean water to the Communities and the construction of the low cost modern houses for slum dwellers. We also appreciate the Government’s resolve to fight corruption by putting in place the appropriate organs.

Uganda congratulates Kenya for being a peace maker and broker to her destabilized neighbours especially Somalia which is about to have a government after nearly 14 years without any democratically elected government. Let us not lose focus on the peace negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the SPLA/M. They should reach a final agreement as soon as possible.

I also take this opportunity to thank the East African Heads of State who have collectively agreed to work together to bring to reality the unity of East Africa. The signing of the Customs Union
Protocol is a great landmark towards achieving this goal. Uganda welcomes the application by Rwanda and Burundi to join the East African Community.

This Mission will continue to foster interaction between the Ugandan and Kenyan business communities, especially as we embark on the implementation of the East African Customs Union Protocol.

I am happy to report that a seamless train service between Mombasa and Kampala started operating in August this year. This will ease the transportation of Uganda’s exports and imports at a cheaper cost. I hope this service will be sustained.

We look forward to a fast-track mechanism that will deliver an East African Monetary Union and Political Federation in the near future as envisaged by the three East African Heads of State.

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