Uganda bolsters ties with Lesotho
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda has visited the Kingdom of Lesotho to represent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the double celebrations marking the country's 200th anniversary since the founding of the Basotho nation and its 58th independence day.
Dr. Rugunda held a courtesy meeting with Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, the Prime Minister of Lesotho, at the State House in Maseru.
Keep Reading
The meeting was also attended by Uganda’s High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Lesotho, Amb. Paul Amoru.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Matekane expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the warm hospitality he received during his recent official visit to Uganda.
He commended President Museveni for his leadership within the Pan-African context and acknowledged the support extended by Uganda in sectors such as agriculture, health, security, and education.
Dr. Rugunda conveyed President Museveni’s congratulations to the government and the people of Lesotho on their historic milestones and underscored Uganda's commitment to enhancing bilateral relations through collaboration in key areas.
He highlighted previous discussions held during a meeting on August 13 between President Museveni and the Prime Minister of Lesotho in Entebbe, which focused on broadening cooperation in agriculture, education, defense, and health, as well as the opportunity for Uganda's products, including milk, to be exported to the mountain kingdom.
The groundwork for this partnership was laid earlier in May 2024, when the Uganda High Commission in Pretoria began discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lesotho to establish a framework for cooperation.
This effort gained further momentum during the August meeting, where President Museveni voiced Uganda's support for Lesotho's candidate for the Secretary-General position of the Commonwealth.
The visit is a crucial step towards formalising a Joint Permanent Commission aimed at expanding cooperation between the two countries.
Both countries seek to build on past relations to explore new sectors such as energy, renewable resources, and information and communication technology for collaboration.
The Uganda High Commission in Pretoria is currently collaborating with Lesotho’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to refine proposals for a comprehensive memorandum of understanding that will encapsulate these dynamic cooperation areas.