PHOTO: Speaker Anita with Cuba’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla shortly after their meeting, yesterday in Kampala
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
PARLIAMENT of Uganda’s Speaker Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among held a meeting with Cuban Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla yesterday at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Sunday, June 26, 2022.
During this meeting, Madam Speaker saluted the government of Cuba for its continued support towards the implementation of various programmes in Uganda.
The country’s third top ranked citizen told Cuban Foreign Affairs minister that, “I acknowledge the instrumental role that your government is playing towards the improvement of our education, agriculture, and most importantly the Health sector.”
She lauded the role that Cuban doctors played in setting up of Mbarara University of Science and Technology, (MUST) which has since trained over 1,000 medical professionals.
In 2018 Cuban scientists worked closely with an inter-institutional team of scientists from Makerere University College of Veterinary Medicine, the National Agriculture Research Organization (NARO).
Madam Anita said, “While the US sanctions levied against Cuba affected the economic and commercial relations between Uganda and Cuba, deliberate engagements have taken place to find a way forward on how the two countries can still enjoy better corporation.”
That is why a Committee has since been set up to reinvigorate trade relations with Cuba.
The solutions found included proposals that Uganda and Cuba carry out barter trade by exchanging the goods that Cuba needed and Uganda taking products/goods produced in Cuba.
“As Parliament, we pledge our full support to these efforts and the implementation of all decisions taken by our two governments.” Anita assured her guest in a meeting attended by a team of Members of Parliament.
She said, “A team of Honourable Members present form part of the Uganda- Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group that was established to foster the relationship between the two countries and ensure that Cuba becomes an active participant of the African, Caribbean,and Pacific Group of states.”
For starters, Speaker Anita is Chairperson of The Uganda- Cuba Parliamentary Friendship Group that comprises of 12 Members of Parliament including Hon. Akena James Michael Jimmy, Hon. Alum Sandra Ogwang Santa, Hon. Alyek Judith, Hon. Esther Afoyochan, Hon. Solomon Silwany, Hon. Norah Bigirwa and Hon. David Kabanda.
Others are; Hon Alioni Yorke Odria, Hon. Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama, Hon. Suubi Kinyamatama Juliet, Hon. Rwemulikya Ibanda and Hon. William Chemonges.
Madam Anita, who doubles of Bukedea district woman Member of Parliament thanked The Head of State President Museveni for the continued engagements with different countries like Cuba on strategic social, political and economic partnerships.
In 2018, for example, President Kaguta Museveni met a contingent of specialised Cuban scientists at State House Entebbe to work with indigenous experts to develop an anti-tick acaricide called Gavac, and enhance training of medical workers in Uganda.
Minister Parrilla said, Cuba is willing to enhance ties with Uganda towards socioeconomic transformation. “We shall surely continue to support Uganda.” He lauded the “hospitable nature of Uganda” and recalled the longstanding cooperation between the two countries.
Uganda and Cuba have enjoyed excellent diplomatic relations since Cuba opened its diplomatic mission in Kampala in the 1960s.
The two countries have reinforced each other’s positions at international fora through the Non-Aligned Movement, the G77 and the United Nations, where Mr. Parrilla said they have always defended and protected their mutual strategic political and economic interests.
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