India expects to extend to Uganda credit worth USD205 million (about Shs758. 5 billion), a source has said
The credit line is expected to be announced as Prime Minister Nerendra Modi lands in the country for a two-day bilateral visit where he will be hosted by President Museveni at State House Entebbe.
“We expect to extend two lines of credit (for the first time to Uganda) of US$ 141 million (about Shs521.7 billion) for electricity lines and sub-stations and US$ 64 million (about Shs236.8 billion) for agriculture and dairy production,” said Official Spokesperson, Shri Raveesh Kumar the official spokesperson of Indian Ministry of External Affair.
This is the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Uganda since 1997, after 21 years.
The Indian Vice President Shri Hamid Ansari visited Uganda last year in February 2017.
Modi visited Uganda in 2007 in his capacity as Chief Minister of Gujarat. Since taking over as Prime Minister, he has met President Museveni several times with last one being on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Summit in London in April 2018.
President Museveni has visited India twice on State Visits and once on an official visit in October 2015 to attend the third India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) as well as four times in his personal and private capacity.
Uganda is currently the Chair of East African Community. It was under Ugandan Chairmanship that the EAC Summit was held last year. It may be recalled that the CII-EXIM Bank regional East Africa Business Conclave was held in Kampala in Nov. 2017.
Prime Minister of Uganda had visited India in March 2017 to attend CII-EXIM Bank Conclave where Uganda was a guest country.
Vice President of Uganda Edward Ssekandi Kiwanuka had also visited India in March 2018.
There are over 30,000 Indians / PIOs in Uganda. President Museveni is credited with inviting many among the Indian community to return to the country assuring them of their safety and security. He has also been hosting the Indian community for Deepawali dinners in the State House.
Training and capacity building have been the focus of bilateral defense cooperation. India has an Indian Military Training Team (IMTT) stationed at Jinja since 2010.
In Uganda, the elements of the program will include call on the President, restricted and delegation level talks, banquet lunch hosted by the President of Uganda and India-Uganda Joint Business Event.
Modi will address the Ugandan Parliament tomorrow. This will be the first time that an Indian Prime Minister will address the Ugandan Parliament. His address will be telecast live in India and in many African countries. PM will also address the Indian community where President Museveni is also expected to attend.
Modi will tomorrow proceed to South Africa. “The visit to South Africa is mainly in the context of the BRICS Summit. Apart from participating in the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister will have a bilateral meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.” Kumar
South Africa is organizing 10th BRICS Leaders’ Summit under the theme “BRICS in Africa: Collaboration with Developing Countries for Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity in the 4thIndustrial Revolution”.