The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda has hailed the recent election of the Republic of Korea for a two-year term 2024-2025 as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
“We hope for closer collaboration during this period on the African peace and security matters on the Council’s agenda, especially the Greatlakes region and the Horn of Africa,” Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa said Tuesday as the Korean Republic celebrated its national day and Armed Forces Day which dates back to 4,300 years ago.
Tayebwa added that Uganda looks forward to the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit slated for June 2024 as yet another opportunity to discuss areas pertinent to the continent and identify new avenues for both technical and financial support, that are critical to leapfrogging of the economic development of Africa, in line with the AU Agenda 2063.
The Korean Embassy in Uganda and the Korean community in the country celebrated the day with a grand reception at Sheraton Gardens with the Korean Ambassador Park Sung-soo hailing the great mutual relationship between his country and Uganda.
“I have something to celebrate with Uganda as a big fan of football. Allow me to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Uganda for winning the bid to host 2027 AFCON jointly with Kenya and Tanzania. I know how passionate Africa is about this event,” he said.
Military Attaches of #USA, #France, #Egypt and #SouthKorea chatting at the National Day and Armed Forces Day for #SouthKorea @SheratonKampala @embassy_korea @KoicaUganda @earthsofficial @UGIndependent @Jadwong pic.twitter.com/evNB7qVpJJ
— Philcorry (@Philcorry1) October 4, 2023
The ambassador hailed the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Uganda, but said a lot more has to be done, according to a statement from the embassy.
“Looking back over the past 60 years, I think our two countries have managed to maintain good relations. There were mutual visits of both presidents in 2013 and 2016 respectively. We have had moderate trade and investment relations and relatively big-sized development cooperation in place,” said Ambassador Park Sung-soo .
“However, to be honest with you, I am not satisfied with what we had done for the last 60 years. There is so much room for improvement, cooperation and collaboration waiting to be realized. We should have done more.”
Last evening, at the invitation of H.E Park Sung Soo, Ambassador of Korea to Uganda, my wife and I joined the Korean community to mark the National day and Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Korea in Kampala.
I thanked the Korean government for supporting peace in Africa,… pic.twitter.com/9naIu2PIg7
— Thomas Tayebwa (@Thomas_Tayebwa) October 4, 2023
He said the level of economic cooperation is not yet sufficient. Korea is now the 11th largest economy, the 9th exporter and 7th importer in the global economic community.
“Currently, the volume of trade stands below 50 million dollars and the number of goods traded is limited. Korea’s investment in Uganda stood at 10 million dollars in 2022. Despite Uganda’s natural tourist resources, beautifully referred to as the Pearl of Africa, there are only a small number of Korean tourists.”
The Celebration Cocktail was attended by the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem and several Ministers and Foreign Diginataries.
The celebrations had the invited guests experience Korean culture and cuisine.
