The Ethiopian ambassador to Uganda, Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu, presented a certificate of appreciation to the Ugandan participants of the recently concluded 2nd High-Level Conference. The conference took place on June 22, 2023, in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
During an award ceremony in Kampala, Ambassador Yimenu emphasized the significant achievements made by the embassy during the Budget Year 2015 E.C. These accomplishments have strengthened the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Uganda.
Ambassador Yimenu highlighted the frequent visits of high-level government officials from both Ethiopia and Uganda. Notable visits included a delegation led by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba to Addis Ababa and the visits of H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister of Ethiopia, among others. These visits have further solidified the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.
The ambassador also acknowledged the embassy’s efforts in countering false news and misinformation directed at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is now 92% complete despite facing significant challenges.
Regarding trade and investment, Ambassador Yimenu discussed the positive business relationship between Ethiopia and Uganda. She highlighted achievements in various sectors such as flowers, salt, coal, wood, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and construction. However, she emphasized the need to strive for more results in the future, given the untapped potential between the two countries.
Ambassador Yimenu expressed her gratitude to Engineer Silvester Matemu, the Executive Director of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), Emmanuel Kasimbazi, a professor at Makerere University, and other Ugandan friends of Ethiopia, including Kungu Al-Mahadi Adam, Matua Job Richard, Alex Masereka Joel, and Lambert Ebitu.
Adam Kungu, a strong supporter of the GERD, stated that the downstream countries of the Nile have historically tried to monopolize the river’s usage based on colonial agreements, which is unacceptable. He called for all Nile Riparian countries to ratify the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) and achieve equitable and reasonable utilization of the River Nile.
Matua emphasized that Ethiopia has always been at the forefront of African diplomacy and the fight against colonialism and imperialism.
Masereka asserted the importance of Africans telling their own stories.
Additionally, the ambassador bid farewell to three embassy diplomats who had completed their diplomatic duty tours.
