Munyonyo — Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Gen. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, has held bilateral meetings with ministers from India and Thailand, reaffirming Uganda’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships as the 19th Midterm Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) concluded successfully in Kampala.
The four-day meeting, held at the Commonwealth Speke Resort Munyonyo, brought together representatives from more than 120 NAM Member States, Observer Nations, and partner organisations under the theme “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence.”
Strengthening ties with India
During a bilateral meeting, Hon. Gen. Odongo met with Hon. Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, where the two ministers discussed ways to deepen cooperation in trade, technology, and education.
“India has made a huge impact within the Non-Aligned Movement, and I greatly appreciate your presence here, which makes this meeting as important as it should be,” said Hon. Odongo, commending India’s strong and principled voice on global issues, including the question of Palestine.
Hon. Odongo further praised India’s long-standing support in education and capacity building, noting that “many Ugandans have benefited from scholarships and training funded by the Government of India.”
In response, Hon. Kirti Vardhan Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Uganda and Africa as a whole. “Africa holds a central place in India’s foreign relations,” he said, adding that there was vast potential for cooperation in information technology, agriculture, and trade.
Science, technology and culture
Hon. Odongo also met with H.E. Mr Than Swe, Union Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, for cordial discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation in science, technology, and culture.
The ministers highlighted the shared values and historical ties between the two nations and explored new areas of partnership.
“Uganda and Myanmar share a lot in common, including cultural values that emphasise mutual respect and development,” said Hon. Odongo, proposing the establishment of an Honorary Consulate in Uganda to bolster cooperation.
Minister Than Swe welcomed the proposal, recalling recent progress toward formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“We value Uganda’s friendship and look forward to deepening our cooperation,” he said, extending an invitation to Hon. Odongo to visit Myanmar soon.
Uganda Concludes NAM Ministerial Successfully
The bilateral engagements came as Uganda officially concluded the 19th Midterm Ministerial Meeting of NAM, marking four days of productive dialogue, unity, and renewed commitment to global equity.
Opened on October 13, 2025, by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who also serves as Chair of NAM, the meeting reaffirmed the Movement’s founding principles of sovereignty, independence, and solidarity. In his opening address, President Museveni urged Member States to harness science, technology, and innovation to drive self-reliance and reduce dependency on external systems.
The ministerial discussions addressed critical global issues, including UN reform, South–South cooperation, Palestine, climate change, debt relief, gender equality, and youth empowerment.
In his closing remarks on October 16, Hon. Odongo commended delegates for their constructive participation and reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to championing the collective voice of the Global South.
“This meeting has reaffirmed our shared resolve to strengthen multilateralism, defend the core principles of the Movement, and pursue the right to development as a universal human goal,” he said. “Uganda is honoured by the trust placed in us as Chair and remains fully committed to ensuring that the collective voice of the Global South continues to influence the global agenda.”
A motion of thanks was proposed by Nicaragua’s Foreign Minister, seconded by Egypt, and delivered by Venezuela on behalf of all NAM Member States, expressing deep appreciation to Uganda for its hospitality and efficient organisation of the conference.
Delegates congratulated Uganda’s Chairmanship for its pivotal role in achieving consensus on the Kampala Final Document and Kampala Declaration, which reaffirm NAM’s unity and commitment to peace, sovereignty, and shared development.