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PRESIDENT Lungu and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni have agreed to pay special attention to the oil that has been discovered in Uganda.
Briefing the press after the two heads of state held bilateral talks at Kampala’s Serena hotel yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba said Zambia can have experts from Uganda to help in oil prospecting in Zambia.
Mr Kalaba told the media that the Zambian Government is also prospecting for oil and that it would like Ugandan scientists to visit Zambia to provide technical support in prospecting for oil.
Mr Kalaba also said that the two heads of State agreed on a number of issues, among them trade, commerce and industry.
“One of the issues is to immediately open embassies in each other’s country. This means Zambia will open its mission in Kampala while Uganda in Lusaka,” he said.
Mr Kalaba explained that this has been agreed upon to facilitate trade as Zambia has revised its foreign policy from political to economic diplomacy.
He said the two leaders have agreed to have a joint permanent commission (JPC) meeting in October.
Mr Kalaba said the leaders have also agreed to continue value addition to raw materials to create jobs in the two countries.
Mr Lungu and Mr Museveni also agreed to share best practices and enable exchange programmes between the University of Zambia and Makerere University.
President Museveni invited President Lungu to discuss how Zambia and Uganda could share knowledge about development to improve the economies of the two countries into middle income and fast-growing economies.
President Museveni has also called for the honouring of Dr Kenneth Kaunda saying African history can never be complete without the mention of Dr Kaunda and Simon Kapwepwe among other freedom fighters.
Meanwhile, President Lungu has said there could never be meaningful development in any country in the absence of peace and stability.
Speaking during a State Banquet hosted by President Museveni in Entebbe, Uganda, on Thursday, Mr Lungu praised the efforts of Mr Museveni in the peace process of some countries in the region.
“Your personal tireless efforts and that of your government in the peace process in Central African Republic, Somalia, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo must be commended,” said President Lungu.
President Lungu said Zambia will continue with peace restoration efforts in any affected member states of the region as a member of the Great Lakes Region (GLR).
President Lungu said there is need for the two countries to foster and explore new areas of co-operation under the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) to bring direct benefits to the people.
He said Zambia cherishes the “warm and brotherly relations between Uganda and Zambia” premised on mutual understanding and respect.“Zambia has noted with admiration the positive strides your country has made towards improved living standards of Ugandan people in the health and education sectors,” he said.
And President Lungu, who was scheduled to visit Africa’s only ARV-manufacturing factory, said Uganda has achieved a lot in the fight against HIV/AIDS saying Zambia emulates such initiatives.
He said Zambia is keen to learn from Uganda on how it is addressing youths’ challenges and unemployment.
President Museveni commended Zambia for the role it played during the liberation struggle in East, Central and Southern Africa.
President Museveni said Zambia helped Uganda to attain its independence through hosting Ugandan refugees and allowed them to study and work freely in Zambia.
President Museveni also commended Zambia for helping Uganda when it had problems with former president Idi Amin saying Zambia is among three countries that helped Uganda to unseat the dictator.
Zambia Daily Mail
