Speech on the occasion of the National Day of the UAE (2/12/11)

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
<strong>Speech</strong> by
Rt Hon Amama Mbabazi, SC. MP
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda
On the occasion of
The National Day of the United Arab Emirates
At
Summit View, Kololo
On
December 2, 2011
At
18.30 Hrs
Kampala

Your Excellency, Ambassador
Hassan Mohammed Obaid Al Suwaidi
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted to be part of this gathering to celebrate the National Day
of the United Arab Emirates, and therefore wish to convey my sincere
gratitude on behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of
Uganda and on my own behalf to the United Arab Emirates in honour of
this remarkable day in history.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Uganda and the United Arab Emirates share warm cordial relations
which have continued to grow from strength to strength. We are very
proud of what we have been able to achieve together at bilateral and
multilateral levels. We both have managed to open up Embassies in the
two capitals and wish to reaffirm our determination to consolidate
further the existing excellent relations.
The United Arab Emirates in particular has been a favoured trade
partner for Uganda. Besides being a major source of oil, she has
emerged as one of the largest suppliers of goods and services to Uganda.
Trade between Uganda and the United Arab Emirates has been growing
with the passing of each year. Many Ugandans are now flying regularly
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to Dubai to purchase goods and merchandise which are available to
competitive prices.
Emirates Airlines has played an instrumental role in developing direct
trade relations between the two Countries by providing direct flights
between Dubai and Entebbe. In the last few years, Emirates Airlines has
reported an overwhelming increase in traffic on its Dubai-Entebbe sector
a clear indication of growing trade relations between Uganda and the
United Arab Emirates.
With United Arab Emirates being a member of the Organization of the
Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Uganda will benefit a lot from
her oil experience.
At the International scene, Uganda and United Arab Emirates are both
members to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and
United Nations. We shall continue to support each other at the
International scene.
At this juncture, allow me to pass on congratulatory wishes from the
President His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the entire
Government and the People of the Republic of Uganda to the United
Arab Emirates for the years of peaceful coexistence and a stronger
country.
Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished
Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, I request that you join me in proposing a
toast to the good health of the people of the United Arab Emirates, a
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stronger United Arab Emirates and the continued warm and cordial
relations.
Thank you.
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