MEDIA STATEMENT ON FOREIGN MINISTER NZO'S VISIT TO UGANDA
Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo, accompanied by Defence Minister Joe Modise, will visit Uganda from 25-26 January 1999.
Minister Nzo will represent President Nelson Mandela, who is unable to make the visit in view of the developments in Richmond, Kwazulu-Natal.
Ministers Nzo and Modise will represent the South African Government at the Ugandan National Day celebrations in Kampala, as guests of President Yoweri Museveni.
During the visit Minister Nzo will, together with his Ugandan counterpart, Minister Eriya Kategaya, sign an Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments between the two countries. South African investments have increased sharply from US$ 18 million to US$ 160 million over the past two years, making it the largest foreign investor in Uganda. Among the biggest South African investors are South African Breweries and a MTN-led consortium, which will create a second telecommunications network in Uganda.
Trade relations with this East African partner are also expanding rapidly with total two-way trade increasing from R 89 million to R165 million in three years.
Minister Nzo will also attend the official opening ceremony of a sports stadium in Namboole, Kampala, which will be named in honour of President Mandela.
Minister Nzo will also officially open the South African High Commission's chancery in Kampala. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 24 June 1994 with Mr Raymond Mhlaba becoming South Africa's first High Commissioner to Uganda on 1 July 1997.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 25 JANUARY 1999