New Delhi: At the invitation of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior officials and a large business delegation, undertook a State Visit to Uganda from 24-25 July 2018. This was the first bilateral state visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 21 years.
On his arrival, he was accorded a high level ceremonial welcome. During the visit, he held bilateral discussions with President Museveni at State House, Entebbe on Wednesday 24th July 2018 where President Museveni hosted a state banquet in his honour.
In his talks with President Museveni, Prime Minister, Modi discussed the issues of bilateral, regional and international significance. Apart from affirming their desire to further develop bilateral economic & commercial, defence, technical, educational, cultural, scientific relations, they underlined the need to take stern measures against the scourge of terrorism and its supporting apparatus in any form, and committed to cooperate for early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). They also reaffirmed the need for comprehensive reforms of UNSC including its expansion so as to respond to the current geo-political realities.
During the visit, PM Modi along with the President Museveni also addressed a large enthusiastic gathering of Indian community from Uganda and neighbouring countries. His programme comprised also joint address with President Museveni, of India-Uganda Joint Business Forum, which was jointly organized by the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). The event was attended by prominent business leaders from both the countries representing health & Pharma, Agriculture & Dairy, ICT & Energy, infrastructure, banking and service sectors.
An important segment of the visit of PM Modi was the first ever address by an Indian Prime Minister to Ugandan Parliament which was telecast live in India and other African countries. In this historic speech, PM inter-alia, outlined India’s engagement and approach to Africa.
While thanking the P resident Museveni, his government and the people of the Uganda for warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi extended an invitation to President Museveni to visit India, which he gladly accepted.