Uganda’s High Commissioner Designate Paul Amoru has today, Thursday August 11, 2022 presented his Letter of Credence to Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uganda to South Africa. Amoru, the former Dokolo North MP was appointed Ambassador by president Yoweri Musveni in December last year replacing Barbra Nekesa Oundo who was recalled and appointed the National Resistance Movement treasurer. Amoru was among the 14 Heads of Mission that were received by South African president on Thursday. See more here: https://lbs.co.ug/2022/08/11/14-heads-of-mission-designate-to-present-credentials-to-south-africas-president. The High Commissioner was in the company of his wife Eunice Chelangat Amoru. In his remarks, Amoru , expressed gratitude to his host for the immediate opportunity granted to him to present his Letter of Credence to President Ramaphosa which would fully operationalise his duties in Pretoria, South Africa. The High Commissioner, underscored to his host the existing excellent and cordial bilateral relations between Uganda and South Africa which are anchored on a blood bond that dates far back before South Africa got her Independence. This year the two nations celebrate the 28th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. The High Commissioner highlighted to his host that Uganda provided a sanctuary for the South African freedom fighters of uMukonto Wesizwe the military arm of ANC after the UN Security Council Resolution 435 that led to withdrawal of ANC from Angola to the Camp in Kaweweta- Luwero, which later in 1998 became the Oliver Reginald Tambo School of Leadership & Pan – African Centre of Excellence and a home and training ground for the ANC freedom fighters. This shared history of struggle for the freedom and progress of our people remains the umbilical code that connects our two great countries. He emphasized that this gesture remains a key building block for the foundation of friendship between the two countries and added that his government and the people Uganda take pride in the support shared by the two countries for the uMukhonto Wesizwe team during the struggle for freedom and democracy for South Africa. Amoru, expressed to his host the need for the two countries to augment the outcomes of the recently concluded Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC) meeting hosted by Uganda in Kampala between 7-11th August 2022. The High Commissioner observed that economic cooperation is another significant part of the relationship between the two countries. He highlighted that during the last 25 years the exports of South Africa to Uganda have increased at an annualized rate of 6.82%, from $36M in 1995 to $187M in 2020, while exports of Uganda to South Africa in the same period increased at an annualized rate of 12.8%, from $1.01M in 1995 to $20.7M in 2020. He pointed out that the main products that South Africa exported to Uganda are Gold ($58.4M), Delivery Trucks (ZAR20.8M), Hot-Rolled Iron ($9.76M) Uncoated Paper(ZAR10.9M), Pesticides (ZAR8.58M), Laboratory Reagents (ZAR3.91M), and Processed Cereals (ZAR3.69M) while the main products that Uganda exported to South Africa were Packaged Medicaments ($13.1M), Coffee ($2.88M), Raw Tobacco ($1.28M),other live plants, cuttings and slips; mushroom. The two exchanged views on topical matters on the continent such as Pan-Africanism, impact of Covid-19, socio-economic and security issues, politics, climate change and its impact, collaborative exchanges in various fields, among others. On behalf of Uganda’s president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the High Commissioner commended his host for the role he played in ensuring the equitable distribution of the Covid -19 Vaccine on the African Continent as the Champion of the African Union Covid-19 Response Fund. Amoru pledged his commitment to work with his host to deepen and expand the scope of cooperation in advancing the common goals of serving the people of both countries to the best of his abilities. The High Commissioner committed to focus on the agenda of the Abuja Treaty of 1991 which is anchored on accelerating intra-African trade and enhancing coordination with regional and international organizations. He highlighted that President Museveni and the government of Uganda believe that the future of Africa in this new global environment lies in deeper economic integration, continent – wide that will strengthen Africa’s common voice and policy space in the global trade negotiations The High Commissioner cordially requested his host President Ramaphosa and the government of South Africa to render him kind assistance for the successful fulfillment of his tasks. South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed Ambassasor Paul Amoru and pledged to offer him support during his tenure. His host wished Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni President of Uganda good health and the people of Uganda and South Africa lasting friendship and cooperation. He wished High Commissioner Paul Amoru the very best in his new assignment as the High Commissioner of Uganda to South Africa The Uganda High Commission in South Africa is responsible for five other countries in Southern Africa which include; Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe. On top of its core role of fostering diplomatic relations and promotion of trade, tourism and investment in the Southern Africa Region, the Mission also offers consular services to Ugandans such as e-passports, national identity cards and temporary travel documents issuance as well as e- visas to travellers to Uganda. There are over 50,000 Ugandans living, working and studying in South Africa.