Okello Jabweli
30 July 2002
President Yoweri Museveni yesterday made a one-day working visit to Kenya during which he held meetings with President Daniel arap Moi on bilateral and regional issues.
According to a communiqué issued at the end of Museveni's visit, the presidents resolved to closely cooperate in the areas of transport, communication and energy.
The meeting took place in the Rift Valley Provincial town of Eldoret.
On energy, Moi and Museveni noted the cost-effectiveness of hydropower and directed the ministers responsible to explore opportunities for joint venture in hydropower generation at sites already identified in Uganda.
"In this regard, the heads of state proposed joint mobilisation of funds from various sources including the International Development Agency (IDA) of the World Bank," the communiqué said.
The leaders were informed that Kenya Railways services had been enhanced by rehabilitating locomotive capacity.
It was recommended that one concessionaire could be used for the Kenya/Uganda railway line. Both KRC and Uganda Railways Coperation were up for restructuring and possible privatisation.
It was agreed that the respective ministers of transport convene immediately to pursue the matter further.
Museveni's delegation at the talks included third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Minister James Wapakhabulo and Uganda's High Commissioner to Kenya Francis Butagira.
Kenyan Vice-President Prof. George Saitoti and several of Moi's ministers were present.
The heads of state were also updated on the progress of the oil pipeline extension project.
"It was noted that the consultancy study had been finalised and that there was need for mobilisation of resources to fund the project.
Moi and Museveni briefed each other on the on-going peace processes in southern Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
The heads of state emphasised the importance of peace and security as a prerequisite for development in the sub-region.
President Moi accepted Museveni's invitation for him to visit Uganda in September 2002.
Museveni had earlier met the British minister for Overseas Development, Clare Short.
According to a press statement from State House, Museveni's meeting with Short at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel Entebbe centered on the pacification of the Great Lakes region.
Museveni briefed Clare Short on the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sudan, the statement added.
Museveni also briefed his guest about the steps being taken by the Movement government to fight terrorism.
Clare Short has been keenly following developments in the Great Lakes region.
At the height of tension between Uganda and Rwanda, the minister brokered a meeting between Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in London at which the two agreed to resolve their differences amicably.
Col. Kahinda Otafire, the state minister for regional cooperation, was present at the Entebbe meeting.
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