The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has Wednesday vowed to support President Yoweri Museveni’s government as India hopes to strengthen its presence in Africa by opening 18 new embassies.
While addressing Parliament of Uganda on Wednesday in his 2-day state visit, PM Modi started by commending President Museveni for piloting democracy in his nation accompanied by independence and steady economic growth.
“I see a lot of young members (MPs) in this House. This is a good sign of democracy… You (Museveni) have brought peace and stability to your nation and region. Similarly, Mahatma Gandhi believed that India’s independence would be in vain if Africa remained in bondage. Your visionary leadership has helped Ugandans of India origin to come back and rebuild the nation that they deeply cherish,” Modi said. Modi who became Indian PM in 2014 is the first time sitting Prime Minister to address the Parliament of Uganda.
“We are also going to open 18 new embassies in Africa. We want to implement 118 lines of credit worth $11bn in over 40 African countries and as I speak over 8000 African youths are trained in India because our efforts are driven by your priorities,” he said, adding that, “India will work for you and with you. We will stand with you in your endeavors. We will speak for you and with you. Two thirds of Indians and Ugandans are under the age of 35. If the future belongs to youth then this is the time to build it,” he said.
Countries expected to host these embassies include Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Eritrea, Liberia, Mauritania, Swaziland, Togo and eleven other states.
Modi also pledged to support Uganda fight poverty just like India fought colonialism with Africa. Both India and Uganda were colonialized by the British and got their independence in 1947 and 1962 respectively as Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi being at the helm of this struggle.
“We fought against colonialism together; we shall fight for prosperity together. India will support Uganda in building of infrastructure, improving education and building of Indian health centres in Uganda,” Modi said.
PM Modi also pledged to support and fund several projects in Uganda including building a memorial centre at the Gandhi site in Jinja to celebrate the legacy and anniversary of Mahatma Gandi, an Indian activist who was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule. He also promised to open Indian markets for Africa in a bid to support African industries.
