President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Italy, particularly in coffee development, trade, investment, infrastructure and skills development.
The President made the remarks yesterday when the Ambassador of Italy to Uganda, H.E. Mauro Massoni, paid a courtesy call on him at the State House and briefed him on the progress of cooperation between the two countries.
President Museveni thanked Amb. Massoni for the briefing and welcomed efforts to expand collaboration between Uganda and Italy, including partnerships with Italian companies.
Amb. Massoni informed the President that an Italian delegation is expected to visit Uganda, led by the Secretary General of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whom President Museveni had previously met.
The delegation is expected to include representatives from Italy’s development and export finance sector, traders and business leaders, who will engage their Ugandan counterparts on areas of mutual interest.
The Ambassador also briefed President Museveni on ongoing discussions regarding a coffee development project aimed at supporting Uganda’s coffee sector and smallholder farmers.
He said the Italian delegation would also participate in preparations for the groundbreaking of a Coffee House at Kyambogo University.
Uganda and Italy are also preparing for the Uganda Business Forum, scheduled to take place in Rome in October.
“This forum will bring together Ugandan and Italian businesses and provide an opportunity to explore new trade and investment partnerships,” Amb. Massoni said.
Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives is expected to participate in the forum.
The discussions also covered infrastructure and investment opportunities, including the Tororo Cement project.
President Museveni expressed interest in initiatives that can strengthen Uganda’s regional transport and trade links, particularly improved connections to the railway network towards Tanzania.
Amb. Massoni further informed President Museveni that doctors from Lubowa Hospital are currently undertaking training in Italy, highlighting another area of cooperation between the two countries in skills development and healthcare.
The engagements underscore Uganda and Italy’s efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation and promote greater trade, investment, technology and skills partnerships.
