President Cyril Ramphosa of South Africa is scheduled for a two-day working visit to Uganda from April 15th to 16th, 2024, aimed at deepening the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.
During his visit, President Ramphosa is expected to hold discussions with his Ugandan counterpart President Yoweri Museveni, focusing on a wide range of issues.
Sources say the two leaders will delve into issues where the waiver of South African visa requirements for Ugandans could feature on the menu for their talks, as well as regional security, particularly the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). They add that Museveni and Ramaphosa, will discuss Africa’s position on global matters.
South Africa and Uganda are among Africa’s nations that have been leading efforts to diffuse the Russia – Ukraine conflict.
Early last year, Ramaphosa hosted President Museveni and the two discussed increased trade between their nations. Uganda is South Africa’s 15th largest trading partner on the continent and second most important partner in East Africa, after Kenya.
A working visit by a head of state, such as this one, differs from a state visit as it is less ceremonial in nature and more focused on practical outcomes. Working visits typically involve in-depth discussions on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues, and are usually more business-oriented. They provide an opportunity for leaders to engage directly and work on advancing mutual interests without the pomp and extensive protocol that characterize state visits.
The agenda of President Ramphosa’s visit indicates a commitment to addressing key areas of cooperation that could benefit both nations. One of the standout topics is the proposed visa waiver for Ugandans traveling to South Africa, which could significantly boost people-to-people connections, business exchanges, and tourism between the two countries.
Security in the eastern DR Congo will also feature during the talks according to sources. South Africa has troops deployed in this region as part of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) mission to help stabilize the area, which has seen ongoing conflict and instability. The discussions will likely cover how Uganda and South Africa can collaborate more effectively on peacekeeping efforts and ensuring regional stability.
Ramaphosa’s visit underscores the increasingly strategic relations between Uganda and South Africa as both countries seek to leverage their partnership for economic and security benefits. It also reflects South Africa’s broader foreign policy objectives in maintaining and strengthening its influence within the African continent.
During last year’s meeting, President Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation to the people of Uganda for their contribution to South Africa’s freedom during the struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
