Joash Arthur Maangi, the High Commissioner-designate of Kenya to Uganda, has presented copies of his Letters of Credence to John Mulimba, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
John Mulimba warmly welcomed Maangi, expressing Uganda’s commitment to further strengthening the bilateral ties that have been nurtured over many years. He emphasized the mutual respect and cooperation that define the relationship between the two countries and expressed Uganda’s readiness to explore new avenues of collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
Maangi conveyed warm greetings from President William Ruto and the people of Kenya, reaffirming Kenya’s dedication to enhancing diplomatic and economic relations with Uganda. He underscored the importance of continued economic and diplomatic cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges, promoting peace, security, and sustainable development.
He noted that Uganda is Kenya’s biggest trading partner, with a significant portion of Kenya’s food and fresh fruits coming from Uganda. He also mentioned the privilege of being posted to Uganda and highlighted key areas of cooperation, including addressing cross-border conflicts in the Turkana and Karamoja regions. Additionally, Maangi informed that President Ruto is considering increasing the number of One Stop Border Posts from two to further ease trade between the two countries.
Minister Mulimba assured Maangi of the Ministry’s full support during his tenure and expressed optimism that his appointment would usher in a new chapter of robust and dynamic relations between Kenya and Uganda. He called for a shift in the East African Community Integration from the summit level to people-to-people integration to realise actual economic and social benefits.
The presentation of the Letters of Credence marks a significant step in fortifying the ties between Kenya and Uganda, reflecting a shared vision of progress and prosperity.