President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has praised the outgoing Tanzanian High Commissioner to Uganda, Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli, for strengthening bilateral ties between the two East African neighbors.
The President made the commendation on Tuesday during a farewell courtesy call by the envoy at State House, Entebbe.
The two leaders used the high-profile meeting to reflect on the enduring friendship between the nations and reaffirm their shared commitment to deepening regional integration.
President Museveni congratulated Maj. Gen. Kisesa upon the successful completion of his two-and-a-half-year diplomatic tour of duty in Uganda.
The President noted that Uganda and Tanzania enjoy a brotherly relationship rooted in a shared history, common aspirations, and robust cooperation within the East African Community.
To expand cross-border commerce, the head of state pledged to accelerate the construction of the vital Masaka–Mutukula Road transport corridor.
The infrastructure project links Uganda directly to Tanzania and is expected to boost cross-border trade while accelerating regional economic integration.
Maj. Gen. Kisesa congratulated President Museveni on earning another constitutional mandate to lead Uganda, noting that the victory reflects deep public trust.
The outgoing envoy applauded Uganda’s rapid socio-economic transformation and extensive infrastructure developments across various sectors.
“For someone who has taken a long time to visit Uganda, one can be amazed,” Ambassador Kisesa said. “The development is very fast, and Uganda will be different with the current speed of development.”
The diplomat recalled that he first visited Uganda in 2022 during a study tour at the Senior Command and Staff College (SCSC)-Kimaka.
He noted that he found a totally transformed country upon returning to Kampala to assume his diplomatic role in 2024.
“I found a totally different country. Congratulations, Your Excellency, upon this development,” Ambassador Kisesa told the President.
The Tanzanian diplomat also commended Uganda for its petroleum discoveries, describing the oil reserves as a strategic asset for the entire East African region.
He explained that the oil and gas sector has the potential to spur regional economic growth through increased investment, energy security, and cross-border cooperation.
The neighboring nations continue to collaborate on major regional infrastructure projects, including the joint East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
