Museveni, Cuban Minister Discuss Bilateral Cooperation

President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday met with a Cuban delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez for a discussion that focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. 

During the meeting at the President's country home in Ntungamo district, Museveni expressed the need for investment in areas of science, manufacturing, and barter trade. 

“There are good areas of business collaboration like the pathogenic industry in the manufacturing of vaccines that can capture the market in Uganda, East Africa and Africa,” he said, adding that it would also be good to do barter trade with the private sector or deal directly with the Government.

He said Cuba can buy food products like maize, powdered milk and beans from Ugandan farmers in exchange for Cuban products such pharmaceuticals just by exchange without money, what the President termed as "easy trade."

The Cuban Minister expressed Cuba's gratitude to President Museveni over African relations with Cuba through African Union (AU) solidarity. He informed the President that Cuba's economy thrives on manufacturing, with a high level of efficiency in pharmaceuticals, international tourism and industry.  

The Tuesday meeting was preceded by the Sunday one where minister Parilla met with the Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Richard Todwong at the party Secretariat at Plot 10, Kyadondo Road in Nakasero, Kampala.

Todwong praised Cuban government for maintaining historic ties with the Government of Uganda and re-assured the officials that his party is committed to strengthening their cordial relations.

"Uganda and Cuba have had historical collaborations and partnerships in areas of science and technology, education, agriculture and the protracted fight for freedom and independence. Uganda will deepen its relationship with Cuba in the areas of exchange of technology as well as diplomatic relationships," he said.

The SG expressed confidence that the visit will have great significance to the country and more importantly to the NRM party.

The Party's director for Diaspora Affairs, Maj (Rtd) Awich Polar while addressing the media after the meeting said the two counterparts had a good opportunity to affirm the deep and enduring ties between the ruling parties of the two countries.

“We have agreed to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with the republic of Cuba and contribute more wisdom and strength to the sustainable development of both sides,” Maj. Awich said. “For over three decades, the two countries have supported each other and worked together to overcome difficulties, bringing Cuba-Uganda relations characterized by mutual benefit, ideological development, and benefits for the people into a new era.”

He assured supporters of the ruling party and Ugandans that the two parties were ready to work towards jointly safeguarding peace and stability, promoting economic recovery, improving people's well-being and advancing to secure a shared future.

Early this month the Rt Hon Todwong on behalf of the NRM party entered an agreement with the Russian United Party representative to enhance work relations, ideology and cadre development.

The above engagement was followed by another virtue dialogue held between Maj Awich and the director of external relations of the ruling Communist Party of Cuba.