President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has held a farewell meeting with the outgoing French Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Xavier Sticker, at State House, Entebbe.
During their discussions, President Museveni underscored the importance of global cooperation and equitable development, urging Western nations to collaborate more closely with Africa in promoting fair trade and industrial growth. “We need to unite to make the world great,” he emphasized, highlighting the need to address global development disparities that affect both the Global South and the West.
The President advocated for balanced trade partnerships, encouraging the West to support the importation of value-added products from Africa. “While we import machinery and industrial raw materials from the West, we should also be able to export our finished goods such as textiles and processed dairy products. This creates jobs and stimulates local economies,” he noted.
President Museveni expressed appreciation for Uganda’s strong bilateral ties with France, especially in the energy sector. He cited the investment by TotalEnergies in Uganda’s Lake Albert oil project where it partners with CNOOC Limite das a strategic move aimed at unlocking Uganda’s economic potential. “I deliberately selected TotalEnergies, and I am glad they are investing,” he added.
As Ambassador Sticker prepares to assume his new role as the European Union Ambassador to Guinea-Conakry, he thanked President Museveni and the people of Uganda for the cordial relations and constructive engagement during his tenure. He reaffirmed France’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Uganda, particularly in trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
The Ambassador also commended President Museveni’s dedication to Uganda’s coffee sector and encouraged further expansion of French investments in Uganda, including the establishment of factories to support industrialization and job creation.
