By Henry Mukasa
Monday, October 06, 2008
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Kampala, Uganda (New Vision) - PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has urged the international community to assist the interim-government of Somalia to build a strong army. Without a strong army, the war-torn country cannot establish its authority and levy taxes, Museveni said at the State House yesterday, while receiving credentials from seven new envoys to Uganda, including the Somali ambassador.
On the sidelines of the recent United Nations General Assembly in New York, the US and other stakeholders resolved to hold a Somalia summit in Nairobi, the President announced.
Somalia’s new ambassador Sayid Ahmed Sheikh Dahir conveyed a message from President Abdullahi Yusuf, in which he thanked Museveni for Ugandas contribution to the peace process n Sudan.
The ambassador pointed out that the Somali government lacked revenue because it was unable to collect taxes.
An insurgency by Islamists has left the new government largely ineffective. Due to the insecurity, it has been unable to restore basic services like health care and education.
Receiving the new Italian ambassador, Georgio Napolitano, Museveni said the current international financial crisis will help African countries to sell their products. He said the 1.5b Chinese and as many Indians have joined the affluent class, creating a high demand for goods.
He appealed for Italian assistance in agro-processing industries.
Napolitano promised to identify private companies that could process Uganda’s agricultural products.
Meeting the new Libyan ambassador, Abdallah Bujeldin, the President hailed the close relations between the two countries.
Bujeldin said President Gadaffi and the people of Libya want Museveni to play a leading role in the realisation of a single African government.
Other ambassadors received included Gaspard Musavyarabona (Burundi), Kevin Kelly (Ireland), Martin James Sherman (Britain) and Nathalia Seinberg (Denmark).
Source: New Vision, Oct 06, 2008