26-30 MAY 1997, 23 May 1997
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda will be undertaking a State Visit to South Africa from 27 to 30 May 1997. The President will be accompanied by members of his Government, among whom the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr E Katagaya and the Minister of Finance, Mr J Mayanja Nkingi. Also forming part of the delegation will be members of the Ugandan Manufacturers Association and the Ugandan Investment Authority.
The visit will underline the importance of existing relations between Uganda and South Africa and will take place at a time when South Africa's first High Commissioner to Uganda, Mr Raymond Mhlaba, is about to take up his post in Kampala. The sustained economic growth of the Ugandan economy, due largely to the sound economic policies followed by the Government of President Museveni, has ensured the continued expansion of economic ties between the two countries. A number of South African companies are already active in Uganda, and this visit is expected to add further impetus to this trend.
During the State Visit, President Museveni will meet with, inter alia, President Mandela, Deputy President Mbeki and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Nzo. Bilateral discussions will be held between the two delegations, on which occasion it is expected that an agreement relating to Double Taxation will be signed. The Ugandan President will also have the opportunity to address the National Assembly, visit Robben Island, and will in addition be meeting with members of the Cape Town 2004 Olympic Bid Committee.
The visit of President Museveni follows a visit by President Mandela to Kampala in October last year, where he was the guest of honour on the occasion of that country's National Day celebrations. The present visit further symbolizes the close ties which have long since existed between President Museveni's Government and the present South African Government and also represents an acknowledgement on the very substantial role which the Ugandan people and Government have played in the establishment of democratic rule in South Africa.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs