President Museveni, Italian delegation discuss co-operation

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has held discussions with a delegation from Italy at State House Entebbe.

The delegation was led by the Italian deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mario Savona.

Other members of the delegation included; Fabio Ricci, the Deputy Director General, Responsible for Internationalization at Federunacoma (Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation), Riccardo Zucconi, Director of the Italian Trade Agency and Betty Atuhura of the Italian Trade Agency-Kampala office.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressing the delegation from Italy at State House Entebbe.

During the meeting, at State House Entebbe on Thursday, Savona informed the President that the new Italian President of Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni wants to renew Italy's relations with African countries.

“Meloni has called for a meeting to hear some voices of African leaders at the end of January after the NAM and G-77 Summits. The meeting will be in Rome, Italy, she will appreciate it if you attend,” Savona said.

“She wants to launch a new partnership with Africa. Italy and Africa have common traditions and roots. We would be very happy to renew and strengthen our partnership.”

According to a release from the Presidential Press Unit, Museveni responded in the affirmative.

The delegation from Italy at State House Entebbe.

“It will be good to connect with those young leaders. I may come to encourage the Italians to drink more coffee and tea,” the President affirmed that Uganda can work well with Italy since the European country has for years been contributing to the development of Africa.

On the other hand, Savona also revealed that next year, Italy will have the presidency of G-7 and Africa will have a central role because they believe in the opportunities and potential of the continent.

He further informed President Museveni that Italy is ready to support Uganda to produce high-added value crops through agricultural technology.

“We have already received land in Iganga to set up a mechanisation centre. We shall provide agricultural machinery for the farmers. We think this is very good because we think Uganda is blessed with great weather and abundant water so it could become a food hub for the whole East Africa region,” he said.

“Italy is the biggest importer of Ugandan food crops among the European countries. We are the first one to import coffee. We feel that Uganda could improve productivity with the Parish Development Model, but we want to give a hand to you by giving you tractors and other machinery.”