Uganda is in talks with UAE over travel restrictions

By Ismael Kasooha

DUBAI

The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said the Government is in talks with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to lift the existing restrictions on travel from Uganda to the UAE.

Nabbanja, who met His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, in Dubai on Tuesday, acknowledged that the restrictions are adversely affecting trade between the two countries. Uganda’s Ambassador to the UAE, Zaake Kibedi, and other Ugandan officials attended the meeting.

“Talks between the two Governments are underway, and we hope that this issue will be addressed soon,” the Premier said.

Uganda was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization last month, but some countries still have restrictions in place on travel from Uganda.

The Prime Minister also held meetings with representatives from 13 companies that expressed interest in investing in Uganda after the Premier and her team, including the Director General of the Uganda Investment Authority, Mr Robert Mukiza, showcased the country’s investment opportunities at the Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai on Monday.

“We shared more information with these companies on investment opportunities in Uganda, and we look forward to welcoming them to our country,” Rt. Hon. Nabbanja said. “We have investment opportunities in value addition to minerals, agro-processing, manufacturing, and ICT, among others.”

Ambassador Kibedi said they will continue to share the necessary information with businesses in the UAE and support them in setting up investments in Uganda.