Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Kampala AU Summit ends with a call to build a stronger Africa
The 15th Summit of the African Union Heads of State and Government has today ended in Kampala with a call to member countries to double their efforts in ensuring that the continent will, in 5 years time, become prosperous and strong enough to be a better trading partner with the G-8 countries. The 3-day Summit was attended by the host President Yoweri Museveni and his wife Janet Museveni drew over 35 Heads of State and Government from across Africa as well as well wishers from several areas outside the continent including the President of Mexico Mr. Felipe Calderon.The Chairperson of the African Union and President of Malawi, Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, in his closing remarks, noted that the future of the world lies in Africa. He reiterated his optimism that once Africa addresses the food security issue, the continent will in 5 years feed the world."That is not exaggerated, it is a reality. Africa is the future of the world," he stressed.

President Bingu wa Mutharika, however, commended the Heads of State and Government of member countries of Africa for their positive contributions that led to the success of the Kampala AU Summit. He added that the Summit reached meaningful conclusions, especially in the area of Safe motherhood and the health of the child in Africa but noted that what remains is for the AU member countries to implement those resolutions."I believe we have the will to do so to bring about the social and economic transformation of our continent. As a new beginning, we should look at Africa from a different point of view, not Africa that is seen as that of wars, hunger, HIV/AIDS mothers and children dying," he said. President Mutharika also pointed out the issue of peace and security on the continent and said it must be maintained. He thanked countries that have sent their soldiers to Somalia and other countries to bring peace to Africa. "I thank those countries doing so much to send their troops to the battle fields to bring peace to Africa. We want the United Nations to have faith that Africa is capable of solving her problem," he said He cited countries like Sudan, Madagascar, Niger, Zimbabwe and others to which the AU is making contributions in restoring peace.President wa Mutharika commended President Museveni, the Government and the people of Uganda for the warm hospitality accorded to the African leaders Heads of State and delegations to the Summit. The Libyan leader, Col. Moamer el Gadhaffi, in his brief contribution, thanked President Museveni, the government and people of Uganda for organising a very successful summit. He said that Africa is becoming very complementary and will indeed become a United States of Africa.

President calls for cheaper ways of health services
President Yoweri Museveni has urged all African Heads of State and government to adopt multiple and cheaper ways of health services in solving the challenges of most of diseases afflicting the common person. He cited immunization, hygiene, nutrition and behaviour change as some of the cheaper ways used by the Government of Uganda in combating most of the common diseases.  "We struggled on getting resources; on the other hand we looked for cheaper ways of providing health services", he noted. President Museveni was last evening speaking at a gala dinner held at Speke Resort Hotel, Munyonyo that was attended by African leaders and their spouses. Entertainment music and songs were, among others, provided by a renowned South African performing diva, entrepreneur, humanitarian and philanthropist Ms. Yvonne Chaka Chaka who is also a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador against Malaria. Chaka Chaka heads her own charity, “The Princess of Africa Foundation” which is dedicated to raising awareness and initiative to eradicate malaria; a needless disease that Chaka Chaka says people need to know more about because it is preventable and curable but kills 3,000 people in Africa daily and about 1 million Africans succumb to it yearly. President Museveni noted that there is need for African leaders to carry out a campaign of not drinking un-boiled water to avoid a host of water-borne diseases adding that the Government of Uganda has spearheaded the construction of boreholes in the Northern parts of the country to eliminate the guinea worm that used to come from drinking unclean water.  The President emphasized the need for Africa to pay more attention to foundation related issues of development like electricity and infrastructure, if more meaningful maternal health care, the theme of the 15th AU Summit in Kampala , is to be realized. He said that there is strong linkage between economic growth and sustainable maternal health.

AU Chairman and President of Malawi, Professor Bingu wa Mutharika commended the Summit for addressing the issues of maternal health. He called for action by African leaders to ensure the lives of women are saved.The United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Asha Rose Migiro, said the issue of maternal health is a barometer to social economic development. She noted that to ensure development, countries need healthy women and children. She, therefore, called on African leaders to work hard and use the available resources to save the lives of their people.

President Museveni Meets with the Mexican President
President Yoweri Museveni held a meeting yesterday with the visiting Mexican President Mr. Felipe Calderon at the sidelines of the on-going 15th African Union (AU) Summit at Munyonyo in Kampala.  Mr. Calderon who is the first Mexican Head of State of State to visit Uganda is in the country as one of the several special guests and observers at the Summit. President Museveni, who warmly welcomed his Mexican counterpart to Uganda, discussed with his guest issues of mutual interest between Mexico and Uganda. 48- year old Calderon, is a member of the ruling Mexican National Action Party (PAN). He was elected President of Mexico in 2006. An excellent student, President Calderon earned degrees in law and economics in Mexico before going to Harvard University in the United States of America where he received a Master’s degree in Public Administration.

He was national Chairman of PAN from 1996 to 1999. When Mr. Vicente Fox, also member of PAN became President of Mexico in 2000, Calderon was appointed to several important posts, including Director of a state owned development bank, and Secretary of Energy. 

President Calderon favours free trade, lower taxes, and privatization of state controlled businesses. He is said to be a social conservative who opposes such issues like gay marriage. His administration has been fiscally moderate to liberal. In another development, President Museveni also held a meeting with the US Attorney General and special envoy Mr. Eric Holder who assured him that the United States of America’s commitment to help Uganda track down terrorists that claimed credit to the recent Kampala City twin bombings in which innocent lives of over 70 people perished.

AU SUMMIT

 The 15^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union opened on sunday the 25th in Kampala amidst fanfare and glamour. Several Heads of State and Government from Africa, Middle-east, Europe and the Caribbean attended the opening colorful ceremony at the Commonwealth resort, Munyonyo. The President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the host in his welcoming remarks said, the decision to hold the AU 2010 Summit in Uganda was an honour to the people of Uganda. Turning to theme of the Summit, “Maternal, Infant and Child Health and development in Africa,” President said, the programme on Maternal, Infant and Child health cannot be welcomed. In a two minute silence, heads of state expressed solidarity with the Ugandan government to mourn for the 76 Bomb victims after the twin explosive attacks that rocked Kampala fortnight ago; Prof. Bingu Wamutharika of the republic of Malawi and the chairman of the AU condemed terror activities of the Al-Qaeda backed Al-shabab, in Africa.