President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Japan to expand trade relations with Uganda as he met officials from the Nippon Foundation at State House Entebbe on Tuesday.
The delegation, led by Isao Iijima, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan, and Takeju Ogata, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, is in Uganda to mark the launch of a Rehabilitation Center for veterans in Mubende District.
The Foundation contributed USD 500,000 towards the construction of the facility and the provision of equipment to support soldiers who lost their limbs in combat.
Ogata said the Nippon Foundation has worked in Uganda for more than 40 years, especially in agriculture and social development, and pledged continued support to help the country confront climate change and other challenges.
President Museveni praised Japan for its long-standing cooperation with Uganda, highlighting support in building the Nile Bridge and improvements in the road sector. He also commended Iijima for mobilizing recent donations from Japanese companies.
“These included 2,000 sewing machines for veterans and women’s groups, as well as fire trucks, ambulances, physiotherapy equipment, and prosthetic materials,” the President noted.
Museveni further appealed for increased access to Japanese markets.
“What we need most is for Japan to buy our products. We would like to trade with you, and we also wish that Japan removes taxes from our exports,” he said.
The Rehabilitation Center project is being implemented with support from the Government of Japan and the Nippon Foundation.
