President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated the importance of fair international cooperation during a farewell meeting with the outgoing French Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Xavier Sticker, at State House Entebbe.
The meeting marked the end of Ambassador Sticker’s tenure in Uganda as he prepares to assume his new post as the European Union Ambassador to Guinea-Conakry.
President Museveni used the occasion to emphasize the necessity for global unity in tackling development disparities, urging Western nations to work closely with developing countries for more balanced growth.
“We need to unite to make the world great,” President Museveni stated, calling for a collective effort to promote equity and shared prosperity across continents.
He also drew attention to trade imbalances, which he said affect not only Africa but also countries in the West.
President Museveni advocated for increased trade in value-added products, encouraging reciprocal exchange of goods that contribute to job creation and industrial growth.
“We need to buy each other’s value-added products. For example, while we purchase machinery and industrial raw materials from the West, we also encourage the importation of our finished goods, such as textiles and processed dairy products, to support job creation and economic growth here in Uganda,” he explained.
The President acknowledged Uganda’s positive relations with France, citing productive partnerships and shared economic interests.
He particularly commended the involvement of the French energy giant TotalEnergies in Uganda’s Lake Albert oil development project, which he described as a strategic move to unlock the country’s economic potential.
“I deliberately selected TotalEnergies, a partner with CNOOC Limited in the Lake Albert oil development, and I’m glad they are investing,” President Museveni remarked.
In his remarks, Ambassador Xavier Sticker expressed appreciation for the cordial engagement and progress achieved during his diplomatic service in Uganda.
He underscored the importance of continued collaboration between Uganda and France, emphasizing the need for deeper mutual understanding and greater mobility for communities in both nations.
“Uganda and France have enjoyed a long-standing and dynamic relationship. It is crucial that we continue to deepen our understanding of each other while facilitating community mobility and building shared interests between our nations,” Ambassador Sticker noted.
He also praised President Museveni’s support for Uganda’s coffee sector, recognizing its vital role in generating national income and supporting rural livelihoods.
In a forward-looking gesture, Ambassador Sticker encouraged the expansion of French business ventures in Uganda, recommending the establishment of local manufacturing facilities as a means to further stimulate the economy.
The farewell meeting served as both a reflection on years of productive Uganda-France relations and a platform for reaffirming commitments to future partnerships grounded in mutual respect and economic collaboration.
