Uganda and Mozambique are seeking to strengthen their bilateral ties and boost trade and investment through the Second Uganda-Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission, which kicked off yesterday.
The three-day meeting, held at the Mestil Hotel in Kampala, brings together senior officials from both countries to discuss key areas of cooperation, including trade, investment, and economic development.
Ambassador Richard Kabonero, Head of Regional Economic Cooperation at Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
“We share a strong foundation, and it is our duty to build upon it,” Kabonero said. “Through our enhanced bilateral ties, both countries will achieve significant economic and social progress.”
Kabonero highlighted the need to update progress on presidential directives and conclude bilateral agreements, particularly in political, security, and economic areas.
“The commission is built on the strong historical bonds forged during the liberation struggles against colonialism, and reinforced by recent high-level visits by Presidents Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Filipe Jacinto Nyusi,” Kabonero stated.
Mozambique’s Ambassador Ermenegildo Caetano, Director for Africa in the Mozambican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, echoed Kabonero’s sentiments.
“The areas identified for cooperation include politics and diplomacy, defense and security, veterans, environment and wildlife, agriculture, transport and communication, infrastructure and public works, mineral resources and energy, among others,” Caetano said.
Caetano urged senior officials present to appreciate the strong historical bond and recent developments in collaborative efforts, and to find common ground to conclude more bilateral agreements.
Analysts view the talks as a critical step towards deepening Uganda-Mozambique relations, particularly in the context of growing economic cooperation within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to trade data, Mozambique had a large net trade with Uganda in 2017, exporting buses, cars, and iron fasteners worth $8.75 million in 2022. Uganda imports various products from Mozambique, including tools and vessels.
The commission’s outcomes are expected to have significant implications for regional economic cooperation and development.
