President returns after successful visit to Uganda

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Sri Lanka, after a successful four-day official visit to Uganda. During the visit, Rajapaksa held bilateral discussions with the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The discussions were focused on economy, trade, power and energy sectors. President Rajapaksa also agreed to a request by his Ugandan counterpart, seeking help for the development of apparel sector drawing lessons from the Sri Lankan success story, in Uganda.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni opened the new Sri Lankan High Commission in Kampala, Uganda recently. The new Sri Lankan High Commission in Uganda is the 62nd Sri Lankan diplomatic mission abroad, and the sixth in the African continent. The last three were opened during President Rajapaksa’s tenure.

The President visited to the Masulita Vocational Training Centre and the Sugar Corporation of Uganda. The latter, established in 1924, reportedly plays a big role in the Ugandan economy. He also launched the Sri Lankan funded project to upgrade the Masulita Vocational Training Centre. In an agreement signed during President Musevni’s visit last year, Sri Lanka consented to provide US$ 1.5 million to improve this facility.

The President attending the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Local Government Conference 2013, in Kampala said: “Our experience demonstrates the vital role of local traditions and culture in moulding the practices of local Government institutions. It also highlights the unique significance of the part played by these institutions, in sustaining and strengthening the democratic way of life. This is especially so, because democratic governance impacts most directly on the people through these institutions which brings the Government, literally to their doorstep.”

After the President launched a trade exhibition Uganda has continuously supported Sri Lanka in various international fora, including at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2012 and 2013, where it voted against the resolution on Sri Lanka.