Museveni in Tanzania to Meet Samia Suluhu

President Yoweri Museveni and his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan in Dar es Salaam.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni arrived in Tanzania on Saturday for a working visit amid efforts to bolster ties between the two East African neighbors.

The visit, at the invitation of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, focuses on bilateral talks to enhance cooperation.

In a statement posted on X, Museveni said, “I have arrived in the United Republic of Tanzania on a working visit at the invitation of H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan. We shall hold bilateral talks aimed at strengthening cooperation and deepening the long-standing relations between our two countries.”

The meeting underscores the deep-rooted connections between Uganda and Tanzania, which date back to the 1960s when both nations gained independence from British colonial rule.

Historical relations have been marked by both conflict and solidarity. In the 1970s, tensions escalated during the Uganda-Tanzania War of 1978-1979, triggered by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin’s invasion of Tanzania’s Kagera region. Tanzanian forces, under President Julius Nyerere, ultimately overthrew Amin, paving the way for political challenges that eventually led to Museveni’s rise to power. Museveni’s rebel group, Fronasa, operated from Tanzanian soil during the liberation struggle.

Diplomatic ties have since flourished within the East African Community (EAC), promoting regional integration, security, and economic growth. Museveni has often championed EAC unity, noting in past remarks that “East African Integration has led to economic prosperity and heightened security in the region.”

Trade relations remain robust and balanced. In recent years, bilateral trade has hovered around $60-70 million annually, with Tanzania exporting machinery, agricultural products, and medicines to Uganda, while Uganda supplies corn, telecommunications equipment, and other goods in return. Key projects include the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which will transport Ugandan oil through Tanzania to the port of Tanga, fostering energy cooperation.

The talks are also expected to address shared challenges like climate change, infrastructure, and cross-border security. As strategic partners in agriculture, education, and defense, Uganda and Tanzania continue to build on their fraternal bonds for mutual prosperity. This visit reaffirms their commitment to a united East Africa.