President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Italy, particularly in coffee development, trade, investment, infrastructure and skills development.

President Museveni made the remarks during a meeting with the Ambassador of Italy to Uganda, H.E. Mauro Massoni, who paid a courtesy call on him at State House and briefed him on the progress of cooperation between the two countries.

The President thanked Ambassador Massoni for the briefing and welcomed efforts to expand collaboration between Uganda and Italy, including partnerships involving Italian companies.

Ambassador Massoni informed President Museveni that an Italian delegation is expected to visit Uganda, led by the Secretary General of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whom the President had previously met.

The delegation is expected to include representatives from Italy’s development and export finance sector, as well as traders and business leaders. They will engage with their Ugandan counterparts on areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment.

The Ambassador also briefed President Museveni on ongoing discussions surrounding a coffee development project aimed at supporting Uganda’s coffee sector and smallholder farmers.

The project is expected to begin with the groundbreaking of a Coffee House at Kyambogo University during the visit of the Italian delegation.

Ambassador Massoni further informed the President that doctors from Lubowa Hospital are currently undergoing training in Italy, highlighting another area of cooperation between the two countries in healthcare and skills development.

The engagements underscore ongoing efforts by Uganda and Italy to deepen bilateral relations and expand opportunities for trade, investment, technology transfer and skills development.

By Olivia Nabaggala