Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian met on Tuesday with Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Kyelem de Tambela in Tehran and held talks on the promotion and enhancement of bilateral ties in various fields.

Tambela has traveled to Tehran at the head of a delegation to take part in the 2nd Iran-Africa summit, as well as the exhibition of Iran’s achievements in export capabilities.

Amirabdollahian underlined that the progress achieved in the relations between the two countries has been satisfactory. He said setting a roadmap for ties, and jointly pursing the deals struck between Iran and Burkina Faso in trade, industry, science, technology, tourism as well as other fields of mutual interest are of great significance.

Meanwhile, Burkina Faso’s premier expressed content over the positive results of his trip and talks with high-ranking Iranian officials.

He said his trip to Tehran was made because of his interest in closely getting to know Iran’s rich civilization and culture, adding it also proves the Burkinabe government’s strong determination to seriously pursue the expansion and boosting of ties with Iran.

Furthermore, Tambela lauded Iran for its progress in various fields, including infrastructure, economy, trade, science, technology, as well as technical and engineering services while maintaining its political independence.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Nebbi Catholic Diocese was tasked to lead the Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations in 2024, slated for June 3rd, with a required budget of Shs1.3 billion.

This marks the second time Nebbi Diocese will lead the prayers in Namugongo, following their previous leadership in 2007.

The annual event pays homage to the 22 Catholic and 23 Anglican martyrs, who were executed for their faith on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga of Buganda Kingdom between 1885 and 1887.

Rt. Rev. Raphael Wokorach, Archbishop-elect of the Gulu Archdiocese and Apostolic Bishop of Nebbi Diocese led the religious delegation to meet President Museveni, where they were introduced by Hon. Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the State Minister for Education and Sports in charge of Primary Education at State House-Entebbe.

Expressing gratitude, the Rt. Rev. Wokorach thanked the President for his wise leadership, which has ensured peace and freedom of worship in the country.

He emphasised the significance of this year’s celebrations, coinciding with the diamond jubilee since the canonization of the 22 Uganda martyrs, saints revered by the Church.

The Rt. Rev. Wokorach also highlighted the challenges faced in organising such an event, stressing the need for financial support to ensure its success.

He acknowledged the efforts made by the diocese in raising funds but appealed for additional assistance to meet the Shs1.3 billion budget, a request which was granted by the President.

“We made a budget and engaged our people to raise the money to make sure the preparations are smooth. Up to now, we have raised Shs 500 million for additional preparatory needs, but the budget goes up to Shs1.3 billion. That is where we have expressed our desire to ask for your support to ensure these celebrations are held at a level that is respected internationally,” remarked the Archbishop.

Furthermore, Rt. Rev. Wokorach shared his vision for the diocese, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices to improve livelihoods in the region. He emphasised the importance of providing modern agricultural equipment, such as tractors, to enhance productivity in farming communities.

“The biggest challenge is that our people have been using hoes to dig. My request is that if we could have six tractors in the six granaries that we have in the diocese, we can share the tractor to have a bigger space prepared for planting and to take care of the area and the locals as well,” stated the Archbishop.

On his part, President Museveni congratulated the Rt. Rev. Wokorach upon being elected as the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese. He wished him well in his tenure.

Rt. Rev. Wokorach, who was appointed the new Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese on March 22, 2024, replaced Rt. Rev. Dr. John Baptist Odama who retired. He is set to be installed as Archbishop on July 12, 2024.

Acknowledging the importance of the occasion, the President assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to supporting the celebrations and also promised to preside over the celebrations in person.

He commended the Archbishop’s vision for the diocese, emphasising the need for sustainable agricultural practices to improve livelihoods in the region.

President Museveni also provided valuable insights into agricultural practices, specifically addressing the issue of extensive agriculture in the West Nile region.

He advised the community to transition to intensive agriculture, emphasising the importance of maximising productivity on limited land.

“The confusion among the leaders is that they do not listen to our advice which we put in our manifesto of 1996. We said, first of all, stop working for your stomach. In our National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto of 1996, we said there is a difference between intensive agriculture and extensive agriculture. Intensive agriculture means using a small area in a certain way to gain good income. Extensive agriculture is when you use a big piece of land, so even if you get little money per acre, because of the scale, you get enough money,” he said.

“The leaders are busy with other things and yet they have to be talking to the people to solve their problems. We have been speaking about this issue for a long time now, we talked about the 4 acres model because at that time we assumed people had four acres and said that in one acre put coffee, another acre fruits, the other one should be for zero grazing, and then the other you put cassava which for the stomach and in the backyard put hens for eggs or piggery and then in the lowlands near the water, you can do fish farming. This advice is in writing, my advice is that please tell your congregation the issue of the two modes of agriculture and that it should be intensive farming as opposed to extensive farming.”

Furthermore, President Museveni also promised to provide six tractors to enhance agricultural productivity and pledged to address infrastructure challenges, such as the construction of the Nebbi-Goli road.

“We had our plans, but we got diverted by the problems we had, including locusts, floods, and COVID. However, it’s good that we survived, and that’s why we had to hold on to many projects,” reassured President Museveni.

The meeting also saw the participation of various organising committee members, including Rev. Fr. Denis Ocanda, Chairperson of the Liturgical Committee; Rev. Fr. Kennedy Onoba, Member of the Organizing Committee; Rev. Fr. Stephen Oribdhogu, the Vice Chancellor of Nebbi Catholic Diocese; Ms. Catherine Okumu Mavenjina, Chairperson of the Central Organizing Committee; Mr. Gabriel Okumu, Chairperson of the Transport Committee; Mr. Phillip Odida, Chairperson of the Protocol Committee; Mr. Onyai Henry, Chairperson of the Accommodation Committee; Mr. Maurice Opar Manano, Treasurer of the Martyrs Day celebrations; Mr. Fred Omach Jachan, Member of the Finance Committee; Ms. Hellen Acikane Odongtho, Member of the Finance Committee; Mrs. Hellen Ocwechi Ocaya, Member of the Finance Committee; Ms. Grace Fuacan, Member of the Finance Committee; and Mr. Willy Owachi, Secretary of the Finance Committee.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.

On April 30th, Ambassador Wang Xuekun attended the Donation Ceremony of medical supplies and equipment to Rwanda by Beijing Genomics Institution (BGI). Other attendees includes Hon. Mr. Pudence Rubingisa, the Governor of Rwanda Eastern Province, Ms. Nathalie Niyonagira, the Mayor of Ngoma District, Dr. Albert Tuyishime, the Director of the Institute of HIV, Disease Prevention and Control of Rwanda Biological Center (RBC), Dr. Theoneste Maniragaba, the Director of Cancer Diseases Unit of RBC, Ms. Du Yutao, the COO of BGI, Mr.Gao Zhiqiang,  the Economic Counselor of the Embassy.

Ambassador Wang said, since China and Rwanda established diplomatic relations in 1971, Our friendship has blossomed and born fruits in areas ranging from high-level exchanges, trade and investment, infrastructure, education to people-people exchange. The cooperation in health sector epitomes our friendship. China aided to build Kibungo Hospital and Masaka Hospital, offered to expand Masaka Hospital, and has sent 24 batches of medical teams to Rwanda, boosting the health sector of Rwanda. China is ready to take the Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as a starting point, to work closely with Rwanda, to write a brand-new chapter of bilateral cooperation in health sector, and elevate bilateral relations to a new level.

Hon. Mr. Pudence Rubingisa expressed his gratitude for China’s support, and is willing to join hands with China to work for the health and well-being of the people of Rwanda.

Ms. Du Yutao said, the donation aims to fulfill BGI’s social responsibility. BGI will endeavor to make greater contribution to China-Rwanda health cooperation.

BGI donated medical equipment and supplies worth 1.6 million US dollars to RBC, to support the cervical cancer screening in Rwanda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Rwanda.

In this month of May, we commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary of the official launch of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) that took place on 25 May 2004. Throughout the month, we will reflect on the significant strides made by the Council for the past 20 years in promoting peace, security, and stability across Africa.

The commemoration will run throughout the whole year of 2024, but the month of May, being the month in which the PSC was officially launched, will have the grand activities with the active participation of all AU Member States, AU Organs, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RECs/RMs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), think tanks, academic institutions, as well as bilateral and multilateral partners.

The celebration presents a unique opportunity for the Council to assess its accomplishments and the challenges faced over the past two decades in discharging its mandate of promoting peace, security and stability in Africa. Our goal remains steadfast: to silence the guns, realizing a conflict-free Africa, aligning with the principles outlined in the Solemn Declaration adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on 26 May 2013.

The activities for May 2024, will include an Open Session on May 15th to review the implementation of the Protocol establishing the AU PSC, and a High-Level Colloquium as the main commemorative event coinciding with African Day, on May 25th. The theme of the Colloquium will be “20 Years of the AU PSC as a Standing Decision -Making Organ Peace and Security: The Next Two Decades”. On the same day, there will also be an E-photo Gallery exhibition and the unveiling of the PSC Visual Identity.  

Each week of May 2024, the PSC will focus on thematic issues which have been featuring in the activities of the PSC for the past two decades. These includes Mediation and Dialogue; Humanitarian Peace and Security; Women&Youth, Peace and Security; Child Protection; and Peace Support Operations.  

While reflecting on the achievements recorded, challenges faced and lessons learned in the past twenty years, the PSC looks forward to exploring innovative ideas on how to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in discharging its mandate in the next two decades.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).