4 February 2008
Kampala — German First Lady Eva Luise Hohler with the M-Lisada Brassband at the Kampala Music School yesterday Germany has pledged to open up its market and promote Ugandan products in Europe tax free.
Addressing a press conference at State House Entebbe yesterday, visiting German President Horst Kohler said: "I agree with President Museveni that trade is better than aid. I also agree that Everything But Arms and African Growth and Opportunities Act are not enough incentives for African products."
He said Germany would increase solidarity with Uganda and Africa by opening up its markets.
Museveni said: "Germany's position on trade is very positive because they support the end of protectionism. They want free trade and that is a correct line."
Earlier, Mrs. Eva Luise Kohler donated musical instruments to former street children in Nsambya.
Before that in Makerere, Mr. Kohler called for peace in the north. He was meeting students of the Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies at Makerere University. The programme is supported by the German government.
Kohler said he wanted to hear solutions from Ugandan victims of the 21-year war in the north.
He said he came to listen and discuss peace and reconciliation with Ugandans and not to lecture.
Germany and Europe, Kohler said, wanted to devise ways of how to assist Uganda in the peace and reconciliation process.
Kohler said living conditions of people in the North had to be improved so that the ordinary people felt life was worth living.
He said he wanted to know whether the people in the North felt that the Government was doing enough to improve their standards of living.
On the ICC indictments of LRA leaders, Kohler said there should be a balance between the Ugandan approach to justice and the international approach to peace.
Responding to comments that Uganda lacked nationalism, Kohler said Ugandans should talk in terms of national unity and cohesion, not nationalism.
"Uganda is on a positive way forward. As you seek for national unity, you will find people have different opinions. I encourage people to engage in debate."
The German leader also observed that the international community was not doing enough for Africa.
"The international community has to give more attention to Africa. There is no way you can say you continue with business as usual in Africa.
Education state minister Gabriel Opio said the Government would introduce human rights studies in the primary and secondary schools curricula.
While meeting judges at the High Court, Kohler hailed the judiciary for its contribution to the rule of law and the fight against corruption in the country.
"There is a lot of interest in Germany about Uganda's struggles for democracy and the rule of law.
"Uganda is exemplary in Africa and the judiciary is very exemplary as well. Without respect for the rule of law, there will never be stability in any country.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Kohler, handed over music instruments to a band run by former street children.
The Music Life Skills and Destitution Alleviation brass band was founded in 1996 by eight ex-street children at St. Peters Nsambya.
Mrs. Kohler's offer included trumpets, trombones and clarinets, which were donated by the brass band arm of the German army.
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