Lastest News (18)
The High Commission of Malaysia with the assistance of Malaysia Honorary Consulate in Kampala help to repatriate eight Malaysians stranded in Uganda since March 2020. All of them left on 11 July via chartered flight for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to connect Qatar Airways en route to KLIA. On 13 July 2020, Uganda closed its airport in March 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Kampala businessman, Habib Kagimu has been appointed the first-ever honorary consul of the Kingdom of Malaysia to Uganda, the Nile Post has learnt.
On Tuesday, Kagimu presented his credentials to the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem.
Speaking at the function, Kagimu said it was an honor to have been appointed to represent Malaysia’s interests in Uganda, adding he will boost the relationship between the two countries in areas of trade, investment, tourism, health, and education.
“I would work to promote investments from Malaysia into Ugandan but also encourage Ugandan businessmen trade in Malaysia,” Kagimu said.
“They love coffee and tea very much and so Uganda has got a good opportunity to export both of the products to Malaysia.”
He said in terms of health, the Asian country is developed and their facilities cost less than anywhere else.
“Malaysia being a major exporter of palm oil, prime location to further education at tertiary level and a growing destination for medial and traditional tourism that Ugandans can tap into,” the new honorary consul to Uganda said.
The State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem said this is a rare chance to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
“Now that we have a consul, it will spur and generate momentum in our interests in Malaysia as a destination for Ugandans to go and do business,” Oryem said.
“Ugandans have been going to Dubai, Guangzhou and other places but Malaysia is now another country where our people can go and benefit from opportunities related to Uganda than found in other destinations.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister said before the 1960s, Uganda’s economy was in a better position but noted that the Asian country later surpassed their East African counterparts.
“We can learn from how they were able to transform their country so we can also emulate them through industrialization and becoming an economic hub.”
A number of Ugandans have been detained in many Asian countries including Malaysia over a number of crimes including drug trafficking and according to the new consul to Uganda, there is need for caution while going into the Asian country.
“Ugandans should be aware that if caught for drug trafficking, the punishment is death. Despite the country not requiring a visa to enter Malaysia, they should be cautious,” Kagimu said.
Malaysia’s construction services industry is making inroads into the fast growing construction industry of Uganda thanks to the public-private synergy between Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Malaysian Inc. The two parties have realised the first mover advantage for Malaysian companies to take part in the development of the Uganda Eco-Satellite City project.
According to the State Minister for Urban Development, Mr. Isaac Musumba, Nakigalala will be the first ultra-modern city in Uganda with three more to follow.
The Uganda Eco-Satellite City project in the capital city of Kampala is one the major new projects initiated by the Uganda Government. The project involves 1,000 acres of land which is to be a mixed development consisting of residential, commercial, government offices, schools, hospitals, malls as well as other amenities. This is a long term project which has the aim of reducing the congestion within the fast booming city of Kampala. The Eco-Satellite City Project is part of the Ugandan Vision 2040 national development initiative of the Ugandan Government and is targeted to transform the nation from an agrarian society towards a modern, progressive and industrialised nation.
Malaysian Inc was the brainchild of the National Professional Services Export Council (NAPSEC) which secretariat is MATRADE. The Consortium aims to provide a platform for MSPs to tap on projects overseas. The Malaysian Inc also operates to facilitate and promote international collaboration between MSPs and the private sector abroad.Read More
The China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) has said they are set to complete the remaining portion of the Kampala to Entebbe Expressway that was not completed due to land acquisition and financial challenges.
Xiong Pai Liang, deputy project manager China Communication Construction Company (CCCC) said completion of a small section, about 7km of the of the 49.56 km expressway delayed due to challenges which have now been overcome.
CCCC are the contractors of the four lane $476m (sh1.8 trillion) expressway. They started work in November 2012. Last May, President Yoweri Museveni and Wang Yang the Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) commissioned the completed section of the road.
“By end of July we will have finished all the work. We will hand over the completed section to the Uganda National Roads Authority,” Liang said. Liang told the media during an inspection tour of the expressway.
Eng. Patrick Ssenteza, civil engineer at the Quality control department of CCCC said progress of work was on schedule but rain was disturbing progress. Ssenteza said the road stood at 96% completion level currently. Read More