By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady, Minister of Education and Sports Maama Janet Museveni, welcomed the King of Eswatini, His Majesty Mswati III, at Entebbe International Airport yesterday.
His Majesty Mswati III, who is in Uganda for a three-day state visit at the invitation of President Museveni, was accompanied by his wife, Queen Inkhosikati Make Lamashwama, and other delegates.
The visiting King was accorded a 21-gun salute and inspected a guard of honor mounted by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for coming and for agreeing to visit us,” Museveni said as he welcomed the king and queen at State House Entebbe for a pivotal diplomatic engagement.
Uganda’s leader pointed out that while Uganda’s internal market of 46 million people is significant, it is not enough to sustain the kind of economic growth and wealth creation he envisions.
“Market integration is the biggest factor for wealth creation. When we aggregate the market, we are making it easier for wealth creators to expand and grow,” Museveni stated.
The high-profile visit, marked by bilateral talks and a shared vision for Africa’s future, focused on deepening cooperation between the two nations.
The discussions attended by several ministers from both countries covered a wide range of sectors, including tourism, mining, oil and gas, agriculture, transport, and infrastructure development.
President Museveni who chaired the bilateral talks emphasized the critical role of market integration in driving economic prosperity.
“If Africans want prosperity, it comes from producing goods or services and selling them,” Museveni stated.
His Majesty King Mswati III of Eswatini called for enhanced cooperation between African nations, emphasizing the need for unity in driving the continent’s development.
He highlighted the longstanding relationship between Uganda and Eswatini, noting that it had been years since their last meeting at a Commonwealth event.
“Your Excellency, I convey greetings from the Queen Mother, the government, and the people of Eswatini, and I wish to inform you that we are ready to strengthen ties between the two nations,” the King stated.
The King went on to propose that Uganda and Eswatini establish regular communication channels to avoid neglecting the friendships and agreements already in place.
