By Ben Musanje
Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with the European Union following high-level bilateral talks with the Chair of the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly, Hon. Hilde Vautmans, at the European Parliament in Brussels.
The meeting, held yesterday, focused on issues of mutual interest between Uganda and the European Union, with both leaders exploring opportunities to deepen parliamentary cooperation and enhance collaboration on governance, regional peace, and sustainable development.
Tayebwa, who also serves as President of the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Parliamentary Assembly, was accompanied by Uganda’s Ambassador to the European Union, H.E. Mirjam Blaak.
During the discussions, Tayebwa conveyed warm greetings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, describing him as a committed advocate for global peace and stability. He also extended an invitation to Hon. Vautmans to visit Uganda, popularly known as the Pearl of Africa, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and promote closer engagement between Uganda and European institutions.
According to Tayebwa, such exchanges are important in building stronger strategic partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to citizens in both regions.
The Deputy Speaker also highlighted Uganda’s governance journey, outlining reforms and developments that have shaped the country’s political landscape over the years. He emphasized Uganda’s growing role in addressing regional and continental challenges, particularly in the areas of public health and peacebuilding.
He pointed to Uganda’s contribution to efforts aimed at containing the Ebola outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, describing the country’s response as an example of regional solidarity and effective cross-border cooperation in tackling public health emergencies.
Beyond health security, Tayebwa underscored Uganda’s continued involvement in promoting peace and stability across the region through dialogue and diplomatic engagement. He noted that peaceful resolution of conflicts remains central to Uganda’s foreign policy and its contribution to regional integration and security.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to reflect on the enduring partnership between Uganda and the European Union, which has spanned five decades. Tayebwa praised the EU for its consistent support to Uganda in various sectors, including development, governance, trade, and humanitarian initiatives.
“The European Union has proved to be a very reliable partner for Uganda over the last 50 years, and with the Samoa Agreement realigning our relationship from aid to partnership, I only see this relationship growing stronger and stronger with a clear impact on our people,” Tayebwa said.
The Samoa Agreement, which seeks to redefine cooperation between the European Union and member states of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, places greater emphasis on equal partnership, shared responsibility, trade, investment, and sustainable development rather than traditional donor-recipient relations.
The bilateral engagement reflects the growing importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening international relations and advancing shared priorities between Africa and Europe. It also comes at a time when Uganda and the European Union are seeking to expand cooperation in areas such as economic development, regional security, climate action, public health, and governance.
The meeting is expected to further reinforce Uganda’s diplomatic engagement with European partners while opening new avenues for collaboration under the evolving Africa-EU partnership framework. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
