President Yoweri Museveni met and held discussions with Victoria Nuland, the United States undersecretary for Political Affairs. The two discussed a range of continental issues with key focus being the regional security challenges in East Africa.
During the meeting that took place on the side-lines of the ongoing US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC, President Museveni and H.E Nuland discussed matters of peace and security, democracy and human rights as well as other bilateral priorities between United States and Uganda.
The undersecretary expressed her government’s appreciation to President Museveni and the government of Uganda for the efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability in the region.
She called for President Museveni’s continued support in finding a lasting solution to peace in the region especially the DRC.
The undersecretary also rooted for more cooperation between Uganda and United States. “We can do more together economically, strengthen ties and democracy “she noted.
She also thanked the President for honoring the invite to attend the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC.
President Museveni accompanied by his daughter; Natasha Karugire is among the African Heads State attending the US -Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC.
The Summit focuses on increasing bilateral trade and investment in critical areas especially health, energy, agribusiness and ICT among other areas.
President Museveni on Tuesday asked top United States (US) government officials to consider partnering with Uganda and other African states to bankroll vaccines’ manufacture on the African continent.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Partnering for Sustainable Health Cooperation and Health Security,’ the Ugandan leader, the first of his peers to address the ongoing US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington DC, said American investments would yield cheaper medicines.
“From Uganda’s point of view, we invite friends and brothers to cooperate with us in the production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals for the improvement of global health,” Mr Museveni told attendees who included top US officials and other partners biased to health matters.
Mr Museveni, who was accompanied by the Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, also reasoned that the partnership would also strengthen Africa’s footing on the health front across the globe and hence push for equity in the said space.
“Uganda and Africa are better placed to produce many of the pharmaceuticals on account of the plants that we have in our area. We are also working on developing all types of vaccines needed for humans and for livestock. Our scientists have, for instance, discovered an anti-tick vaccine,” he said.
The President decried the strains Uganda weathered through in the pursuit of vaccines to insulate Ugandans from Covid-19 when the pandemic struck and eventually silenced souls and sucked life out of businesses.