The republic of Uganda and that of Burundi have made steps to strengthen the collaboration between the two countries in the fields of sports, energy sector, hydrocarbon sector plus diplomatic and political consultation.
The two countries signed several memoranda of understanding on addition to upgrading the existing prior agreements that lacked implementation plan. The agreements were signed during the third session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) held between Uganda and Burundi in the latter’s capital Bujumbura from March 22, to March 24.
The JPC was as a result of the directive of heads of state from both countries, H.E Evariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi and H.E Yoweri Museveni of Uganda during the former’s state visit to Uganda on May 11, 2021.
The delegation from Burundi was led by Amb. Albert Shingiro, the minister of foreign affairs and development cooperation while Uganda’s delegation was headed by Hon. John Mulimba, the minister of state for foreign affairs in charge of regional affairs.
Delegates from both countries took note of the challenges faced in the implementation of previous decisions and agreed to put in place modalities of implementation of all signed MoUs.
The team allocated time-frames against which evaluation of implementation of the decisions will be based. Cognisant of the fact that there have been lapses in holding sessions regularly, the ministers committed themselves to clear timelines in holding JPC sessions alternately.
The ministers on both sides supported a decision to hold the first ever Burundi-Uganda business forum on the sidelines of the third JPC. The two business communities committed themselves to investing in each other’s country and to promote mutually beneficial trade.
Th Burundi chamber of commerce and the Private sector foundation of Uganda committed to jointly conduct knowledge sharing sessions and training of small and medium enterprises in the international business.
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