The Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, has concluded a 3-day State Visit to Uganda that he made at the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni.
During his stay in the country, Premier Desalegn who was accompanied by his wife, Roman Tesfaye Abney, held bilateral talks with his host President Museveni at State House, Entebbe. Their wide-ranging talks mainly centred on the River Nile and the utilization of its waters among the 10 member River Nile Basin countries, the situation in neighbouring South Sudan, Somalia and the promotion of trade between Uganda and Ethiopia.
The two leaders addressed a joint press conference at Entebbe after the conclusion of their bilateral talks and observed that the dialogue on the River Nile was necessary because of the importance of the river to the countries through which it traverses to the Mediterranean Sea. Member countries in the River Nile Basin are Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Eritrea currently participates as an observer but has expressed interest to join the River Nile Basin.
President Museveni and the 1st Lady, Hon. Janet Museveni, also hosted their guests to a State Banquet. Yesterday, President Museveni hosted the Ethiopian Premier and his wife at the President’s Kisozi ranch in Gomba district.
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and his wife were seen off at Entebbe International Airport this morning by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sam Kuteesa.
Others at the airport to bid farewell to the Ethiopian guests included the Minister for Presidency, Hon. Esther Mbayo, the Head of Public Service, Mr. John Mitala, the Ethiopian envoy to Uganda, the Deputy Commander of the Chief of Defence Forces, Major General Wilson Mbasu Mbadhi, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Okoth Ochola and the Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija.