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By Kampala Post Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni and his visiting Zimbabwe counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa, have called for exploration of new areas of cooperation in trade and investment by the two countries.
This is contained in a communiqué issued on Tuesday night at State House, Entebbe after the two leaders had held tete-a-tete meeting and the conclusion of bilateral talks between delegations of the two countries.
In the joint communiqué that was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sam Kutesa and the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs for Zimbabwe, Prof. Amon Murwira, the Presidents directed Foreign Ministers of the two countries to convene meetings that are “geared towards exploring new areas of cooperation in trade and investment between Zimbabwe and Uganda.”
The Presidents also re-affirmed the need for the Africa Continental Free Trade Area because the arrangement will help reduce high tariffs, boost employment opportunities and lay ground for free movement of goods and services. President Museveni expressed his condolences to the people of Zimbabwe over the loss of former President Robert Mugabe whom he described as a Pan Africanist who worked hard for the transformation of Zimbabwe.
"The people of Africa are one. Therefore, to our brothers from Southern Africa, when they come here, are really coming home. When we go there, we are also going home," he said. President Mnangagwa informed his host that after the 39th Southern Africa Development Conference (SADC) Summit in Tanzania 2 months ago, it was agreed that every 25th of October be remembered as a day of solidarity to be celebrated by all member countries. He also thanked President Museveni for his role in regional cooperation and the peace efforts in South Sudan.
In a joint press conference, President Museveni welcomed Mr. Mnangagwa to Uganda further noting that the brotherly and friendly visit was paving a way for business cooperation between the two countries. President Mnangagwa, who had last been in Uganda 1963, commended the developments in Uganda adding that the East African countries that had fought for their independence in the 1960s were a source of great inspiration for Southern Africa countries to also fight for their own liberation.
"Our task is now to cooperate by sharing our respective resources and knowledge. We need to see to it that colonial powers fade their influence on us and we develop ourselves," he said. Mnangangwa was the guest of honour at Uganda's 57th Independence celebrations held in Sironko district.
