President Thabo Mbeki to Host Ugandan Counterpart, Yoweri Museveni for Working Visit, Presidential Guesthouse, Pretoria, 14 December 2003

President Thabo Mbeki will host President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda for a working visit on Sunday, 14th December 2003, in Pretoria.

Presidents Mbeki and Museveni are expected to discuss, among others, the Burundi Peace Process since Uganda plays an important role in this process with President Museveni being the Chairperson of the Regional Peace Initiative. With the assistance of the Facilitator, Deputy President Jacob Zuma, a ceasefire agreement has been signed, paving the way for sustainable peace in Burundi.

In addition Heads of State will look at the operationalisation of the African Union and the implementation of NEPAD.

Uganda is a member of the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Group of 77 (G-77), the Commonwealth, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Economic Relations

South Africa regards Uganda as a country with great economic potential and an important destination for South Africa trade and investment. Economic and trade relations between the two countries are steadily growing with the balance of trade currently favouring South Africa.
South African imports from Uganda : R 18 000 000 (October 2002)
South African exports to Uganda : R 480 000 000 (October 2002)

The major South African companies established in Uganda include Stanbic, Century Bottling Co. Ltd, 75% owned by South Africa registered Coca Cola, Metro Cash and Carry, South African Airways, Supreme Furnishers, Shoprite Checkers, Murray and Roberts, Multichoice and Grey Security.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
13 December 2003