By Frank Kamuntu
Kampala: In accordance with Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, the Republic of Uganda and the European Union reaffirmed their close partnership in a Political Dialogue meeting held on 6 November, 2020, hosted by His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni at State House in Entebbe.
The EU Delegation was led by the European Union Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Attilio Pacifici, who was joined by the Heads of Mission of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and Austria and the Chargé d’affaires a. (https://vivanteliving.com/) i. of the Netherlands.
Also in attendance were the Prime Minister, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, the Minister of Environment and Water, the Attorney General, as well as senior government officials.
The dialogue’s agenda covered a range of issues, including the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on Uganda, the business climate, tourism, wildlife and environmental conservation-areas which were also highlighted by EU Heads of Mission during their joint mission to Western and Northern Uganda earlier this week.
Uganda’s upcoming general elections, including the importance of ensuring a level playing field for all political actors, as well as the EU’s role as a neutral partner both to the government and civil society in supporting the democratic process, were also covered.
Both sides recalled the importance for all actors involved in the electoral process, including the political parties and their supporters as well as the security forces and the law enforcement agencies, to refrain from unlawful acts.
