President Ramaphosa to host President Museveni at SA-Uganda Joint Commission
President Yoweri Museveni is due to visit South Africa for the first time in 13 years on Tuesday next week for the SA-Uganda Joint Commission that will work towards strengthening and deepening bilateral relations between the countries.
According to the SA Presidency, there will be "discussions between the two Heads of State encompassing political, economic, regional, continental and international issues".
Earlier this month, it was reported that there was an upcoming visit by the Ugandan President, which Museveni said would open markets for Ugandan business people.
President Museveni will be accompanied in Pretoria at the two-day meeting on 27-28 February by some of his cabinet ministers and a business delegation.
He and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the gathering on the closing day at the Gallagher Convention Centre.
According to the SA Presidency, "the business forum will offer the private sector in South Africa and Uganda a platform to explore trade and investment opportunities".
Uganda is South Africa's second largest trade partner in East Africa, with the trade balance favouring South Africa. South Africa’s exports to the Republic of Uganda increased from R2.18 billion in 2017 to R3.12 billion in 2018.
The value of South Africa’s imports from Uganda increased from R127 million in 2017 to R323 million in 2020. South Africa had more than 70 companies operating in Uganda before the Covid 19 pandemic. After the visit Uganda is expected to improve her trade balance with South Africa.
The two presidents will oversee the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation between the Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC), Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) and Uganda Development Bank Limited (UDBL); MoU on Cooperation in Tourism; MoU on Cooperation in Transport Related Matters; MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Information and Communication Technologies; MoU on Cooperation in the field of Correctional Services and Prisons; and the MoU on Cooperation in the fields of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
