Kampala, Uganda – Uganda and Mozambique have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following the successful conclusion of the Second Session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) held at Mestil Hotel in Kampala.
The meeting, held from September 16-19, 2024, brought together high-level delegations from both countries, led by Hon. John Mulimba, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs/Regional Cooperation, and His Excellency Pascoal Pedro João Ronda, Mozambique’s Minister of Interior.
The JPC resulted in the signing of key agreements, including Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Veterans and Combatant Management, protection of wildlife, and mutual exemption of visas for holders of diplomatic, service/official, and ordinary passports.
Hon. John Mulimba, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs/Regional Affairs,acknowledged the historic ties between Uganda and Mozambique, rooted in brotherhood, solidarity, and a shared vision for peace, stability, and development.
“Uganda and Mozambique have cooperated progressively through various platforms, and this Joint Permanent Commission offers a platform to strengthen our bilateral cooperation and consolidate the gains and bonds of friendship for the prosperity and mutual benefit of our peoples,” Mulimba emphasized.
The Minister also highlighted key areas for cooperation, including defense and security, tourism and wildlife, agriculture, ICT, trade and investment, and infrastructure development. He noted Uganda’s commitment to sharing expertise in wildlife conservation and defense, as well as information sharing to contribute to Mozambique’s nation-building and sectoral development.
“We are committed to working together to address security threats, including terrorism, insurgency, and transnational crime that threaten our region’s peace and stability,” Mulimba stressed. He encouraged the delegations to focus on advancing cooperation in agriculture and trade, particularly in best practices, technology transfer, and capacity building.
“The JPC has provided a platform for us to deepen our bilateral cooperation and address common challenges.” He further stated
Mulimba commended the technical teams and experts from both countries for their dedication and commitment to the partnership. “Your dedication and commitment are the backbone of our partnership, and I am confident that the outcomes of your discussions will pave the way for even stronger collaboration,” he said.
Mozambique’s Minister of Interior, His Excellency Pascoal Pedro João Ronda, expressed gratitude to the Ugandan government for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to his delegation.
The two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in emerging areas, including defense and security, agriculture, trade, investment, and infrastructure development.
The Delegations also expressed their commitment towards the promotion of peace and security at the regional and international levels, support of multilateral rules-based order, as well as supporting and promoting sustainable development.
The two Delegations agreed to hold the third JPC in Maputo, the Republic of Mozambique in 2026 on a date to be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels.
