Gen Kainerugaba Discusses Security Cooperation with Italian Ambassador Mazzanti

The Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has praised the excellent relationship between Uganda and Italy.

This follows a meeting with the Italian ambassador to Uganda HE Massimiliano Mazzanti. The meeting was held at the Italian ambassador’s residence in Kololo.

After the private meeting, General Kainerugaba expressed pleasure at the great relations Uganda has with Italy. 

“Yesterday, it was a pleasure to meet and discuss with a good friend of Uganda, His Excellency Mazzanti. We discussed the strong Uganda-Italy relationship and our excellent security cooperation. I was also pleased to meet his very capable Carabineri bodyguard,” said the General in a tweet on Friday morning.

This is not the first time Gen Kainerugaba is meeting the Italian envoy.

In January this year, the two leaders met at the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Entebbe. Again the two leaders held talks about the relation of their two respective countries.

HE Mazzanti who isn't shy about his love for Uganda has in the past praised the beauty of Uganda's tourism sites and the wonderful people.

He was posted to Uganda and ambassador in November 2019, replacing Ambassador Domenico Fornara.

Due to his love for Uganda, Amb Mazzanti did not hesitate to pick Uganda from other available options.

“I am very delighted to meet you, General. After my tour of duty in London, I had several options to go to, but I chose to come to Uganda and I think my decision has been well validated because the country is beautiful with very wonderful people,” said Ambassador Mazzanti during the meeting in January.

Prior to his posting to Uganda, Mr. Mazzanti served as the Consular General at the Italian Embassies in London in the UK and Washington in the U.S. He previously served in the office of the Italian Prime Minister and also as an officer in the Italian Navy from 1992 to 1996.

At the same meeting in January, Gen Kainerugaba used the occasion to welcome the ambassador to Uganda.

“I welcome you to Uganda, Ambassador Mazzanti. The bond between our two countries is a long and historical one, and I have no doubt that it will continue to get even better,” said General Kainerugaba.

Uganda and Italy have enjoyed close historical ties especially in the fields of trade, tourism, health, education and defense cooperation. Some of the leading hospitals and education institutions in the country were founded by Italian missionaries, and trade and business between the two countries has been growing steadily over recent decades.