President Erdogan supports Uganda’s fight against terrorism in the region
Administrator
By
Turkey has pledged to support Uganda’s efforts to pacify Somalia. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the pledge during his two day visit to Uganda that he concluded earlier this week.
The Turkish leader lauded the government of Uganda for its role in finding solutions to conflicts in the region including Burundi, South Sudan and Somalia.
Addressing the media in Entebbe, Mr. Erdogan stressed that Uganda’s action in the war torn country had brought peace.
“If you can chew a piece of meat, it means your teeth are strong. Somalia has become a different nation from what it was five to six years ago,” he said.
President Erdogan noted that although the European Union has taken a decision to reduce funding to AMISOM, the African Union Mission in Somalia, Turkey will stand by Uganda to ensure peace in Somalia.
“I do not find it a right move that the EU has restrained the budget to Somalia. It will be a big mistake to leave a country that is still fighting terrorism,” he said.
He also challenged the United Nations Security Council permanent members to admit an African and Muslim country to the Council.
“The five most powerful nations that are the Permanent Members of the Security Council determine the fate of the world but have no representation from African countries or country whose population is predominantly Muslim,” he opined.
His host President Yoweri Museveni thanked Turkey for respecting the sovereignty of other countries.
“Turkey’s foreign policy supports sovereignty of all countries. Turkey does not like to be dominated just like Uganda does not want lectures from other people” said president Museveni.
Uganda and Turkey signed three agreements and three Memoranda of Understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
They included an agreement on mutual visa expansion for diplomatic holders, an agreement on cooperation in tourism, one on defense industry cooperation, a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation. Other MOU’s signed were on hydrocarbon, mining and minerals, as well as one on cooperation in higher education.
President Museveni noted that by signing the agreements, Uganda would be enabled to gain prosperity.
“The relationship between Uganda and Turkey is essential for our prosperity. Turkey was once called the ‘Sick Man of Europe’, but is now an engine of economic growth and development,” he said.
Visiting President Tayyip Erdogan also received an honorary Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) award from Uganda’s Makerere University.
This was bestowed to him in recognition of his distinguished political, social and economic contribution to serving humanity, transformation of Turkey and nation states across the globe, peace keeping as well as his partnership in the development of Uganda and Makerere University.
Makerere University Chancellor, Prof. Ezra Suruma, conferred Mr. Tayyip Erdogan with the award at a ceremony held at the Makerere University Main Hall on Tuesday.
“Through encouraging Turkish investment in agriculture value addition and infrastructure development, and that Ugandan farmers had been taken to Turkey for training in modern farming techniques President Erdogan had contributed greatly to poverty eradication in Uganda” read part of the citation.
The Turkish Government donated ICT equipment worth more than Shs.100 million to the Peace Centre at the university through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency.
In his acceptance speech, President Erdogan observed that the trade volume between Ankara and Kampala, which has been low, would expand with time.
“Turkey is not only here for economic partnership but we will be here whenever you need us,” he said.
Gloria Nakiyimba
Gloria has experience spanning more than five years in Journalism, particularly in field reporting, editing, newscasting and management. She is currently working with Capital Radio Limited [91.3 Capital FM and 96.3 Beat FM] as Head of News, a position she has held since 2010.
Gloria previously worked as the Kampala Correspondent for Radio France International [RFI] generating local story leads with international inference for RFI’s global audience. She also served as Political Editor for The Weekly Mail Newspaper as well as Online Content Editor for the California based Ugandan broadcaster KubutakaRadio.com.
