Commonwealth Secretary-General Sharma in Uganda

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma met Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni on 16 April 2008 for talks on wide-ranging issues on the first stop of his first overseas trip since taking up office on 1 April 2008.

Mr Sharma and President Museveni -- the Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office -- exchanged views on matters of interest in the Commonwealth, including the ongoing implementation of mandates agreed by leaders during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala last year.

These included transforming societies for political, economic and human development; protecting the environment and dealing with the consequences of climate change; and promoting the reform of international institutions.

The Chairperson-in-Office and Secretary-General also discussed other current Commonwealth preoccupations, such as developments in Pakistan and Fiji, the two countries currently on the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), and exchanged views on African issues of interest.

"A lot can be done through the convening power of the Commonwealth and its credibility to help build strong institutions that promote our twin agenda of democracy and development," Mr Sharma said during the talks. "I see the Commonwealth as a global asset and a force for global good."

Mr Sharma also met Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa and is expected to call on House Speaker Edward Ssekandi as well as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Professor Morris Ogenga-Latigo, on Thursday. He is also due to speak to representatives of civil society and business.

Mr Sharma will fly to Kenya on Thursday, 17 April, on the second leg of his Africa tour, for meetings with President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, House Speaker Kenneth Marende and Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula.

Secretariat Links:

• Secretary-General
• Country Profile: Uganda