President Suluhu of Tanzania makes her first official trip, starts with Uganda

Suluhu’s one-day official visit comes after an invitation from Museveni.

In Summary

• President Samia Suluhu was received at the State House in Entebbe by her host Yoweri Museveni.

• Suluhu's predecessor the late John Magufuli worked closely with Museveni during his term in office.

President Yoweri Museveni with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu at the State House, Entebbe on Sunday, April 11, 2021.
President Yoweri Museveni with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu at the State House, Entebbe on Sunday, April 11, 2021.
Image: STATE HOUSE, TANZANIA

President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania has started her trips outside Tanzania since she took over the office on March 19, 2021.

Suluhu made her first official visit to the neighbouring country of Uganda on Sunday, where she was received by the Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa.

Suluhu’s one-day visit comes following the invitation by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda.

Samia Suluhu inspecting a uard of honour at Entebbe's State House on Sunday during her official visit to Uganda.
Samia Suluhu inspecting a uard of honour at Entebbe's State House on Sunday during her official visit to Uganda.

Upon arrival, Suluhu went to meet with Museveni who received her at the State House in Entebbe, Uganda.

Suluhu inspected a guard of honour at the State House before embarking for a conversation with her host.

The two countries have been having long-time diplomatic ties as well as bilateral trade.

Suluhu's predecessor the late John Magufuli worked closely with Museveni during his term in office.

In 2020, Museveni and Magufuli launched the construction of a 1,445-kilometre oil pipeline that connects landlocked Uganda and Tanzania.

Uganda had initially planned to connect the project with Kenya before changing its position in 2016 and opted for the Tanzania route.

Uganda said it dropped Kenya after it realised it would be cheaper using Tanzania's Tanga port.

It added that the Kenyan route would delay the project, as it lacked roads and was always affected by monsoon winds for up to three months annually.

Kenya and Uganda had in August 2015 agreed to jointly build a 1,500-km (930-mile) pipeline to pump oil from Uganda to the Indian Ocean

On Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya dispatched his envoy to Tanzania that was led by the Sports CS Amina Mohamed and the Kenyan Ambassador to Tanzania Dan Kazungu.

In his message, Uhuru asked Suluhu to make her visit to Kenya.


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