Museveni Meets Japanese Delegation, Shares Story of Brother Named ‘Toyota’

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has welcomed a delegation from the Nippon Foundation at State House Entebbe.

The Nippon Foundation is Asia’s leading grant-maker, based in Japan and cooperating with stakeholders of all levels around the world to confront social challenges.

The team was led by Mr. Isao Iijima, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Takeju Ogata, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation. They are in Uganda to commemorate the launch of the Rehabilitation Center for veterans in Mubende District.

The Nippon Foundation contributed USD 500,000 towards the construction of the center and the provision of equipment to support soldiers who lost their limbs in combat.

Mr. Ogata noted that the Foundation has worked in Uganda for over 40 years, particularly in agriculture and social development, and pledged continued cooperation to strengthen Uganda’s resilience in the face of climate change and other challenges.

President Museveni commended the Government of Japan for its long-standing partnership with Uganda, citing its support in building the Nile Bridge and in the road sector.

He also praised Mr. Iijima for mobilizing recent donations, which included 2,000 sewing machines from Japanese companies which were donated to veterans and women groups, as well as fire trucks, ambulances, physiotherapy equipment, and prosthetic materials to benefit veterans and women’s groups.

Make a headline I was delighted to meet a group from Japan, led by Mr. Isao Iijima, the Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Japan, and Mr. Takeju Ogata, the Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, which provided the funds to support our rehabilitation center in Mubende.

“I would like to express my gratitude for their support for the rehabilitation of our soldiers who were injured and lost their limbs during various wars,” he noted.

“On a lighter note, they were aware that I have a brother named Toyota, after the Japanese car brand. I explained that he was born in 1975, around the time when the Toyota brand was newly introduced in Uganda. Because the Toyota cars were long that time and Toyota was tall, he was named after it.”

The President further appealed to Japan to expand trade ties with Uganda. “What we need most is for Japan to buy our products. We would like to trade with you, and we also wish that Japan removes taxes from our exports,” he said.

The Rehabilitation Center project is being implemented with support from the Government of Japan and the Nippon Foundation.