President Yoweri Museveni has met with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the sidelines of the ongoing 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The two leaders discussed the refugee situation in Uganda and the world.
The Secretary General described their meeting as one one the most crucial meeting and commended Uganda for its open door policy on refugees.
President Museveni briefed the secretary general on the political and security situation in South Sudan, Somalia, Burundi and in the region.
According to the UNHCR, over the past 12 months, an average of 1,800 South Sudanese have been arriving in Uganda every day. In addition there are million or even more South Sudanese refugees are being hosted by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic.
Museveni, German Minister discuss Security in the Horn
Meanwhile, Museveni has called upon the international community to take more interest in the situation in Somalia saying although the regional security forces were doing a good job, there was need to develop and strengthen local security forces such as the police and army and for the international community to get involved to put an end to the instability there.
“Uganda is mainly characterized by Christians and Christians believe in the holy trinity. If there was some kind of trinity in the security situation of Somalia; internal, regional and international forces, the situation would be contained,” he said.
The President also said that countries like Somalia needs to stop talking about politics of identity and promote their people’s interests that would make their countries prosperous.
The President made the remarks during a follow up meeting with the German Foreign Minister Mr. Sigmar Gabriel about the security situation in South Sudan, Burundi and Somalia.
Mr. Sigmar said the Germany and the European Union are committed to the security situation in Africa.
Targeted attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, particularly by the Islamist armed group Al-Shabab, with suicide bombings and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), continue to have a devastating impact.
In South Sudan millions have fled the conflict causing an unprecedented refugee crisis in the world.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Sam Kuteesa and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Adonia Ayebare attended the meeting, which was held at Uganda Permanent Mission Offices in New York.
