an die Österreichisch - Ugandische Freundschaftsgesellschaft vom 2. Oktober 2003

I wish to acknowledge with thanks receipt of your letter requesting me to join you on the occasion of the public launching of the Uganda Austria Friendship Association for 9^th October 2003 in Vienna. I avail myself of this opportunity to extend my appreciation to the founders and members of this Association for their efforts to solidify close friendship between the peoples of our two countries.

As you may be aware, 9^th October is our Independence Day, thus, it will not be possible for me to join you at this occasion. Nonetheless, on this occasion of public launching of the Uganda Austria Association I wish to convey my greetings to all the members of the Association and the Austrian people. I attach special importance to our relationship with Austria which can be traced back to the days when we were still waging our liberation struggle. I am very grateful to the Austrian Government and people for all the support extended to me personally and to the liberation struggle.

On 15^th June, I travelled from Gothenborg where I had gone to visit my family to a small private hotel in the suburbs of Vienna to meet with other members of the liberation struggle. I chaired the meeting during which we discussed the Ten-Point-Programme, which encapsulated the vision which we had for our country. The programme, now expanded to fifteen points, was embraced by the people of Uganda and has been the Government’s guiding philosophy, since 1986 when we came into power.

It was not accidental that our political programme was conceptualised in Austria. The Austrian people have always championed freedom and human justice as exemplified by the freedoms they enjoy in their diverse cultures all living peacefully together. I note, with admiration, the fact that basic rights and freedoms in Austria have been guaranteed by law since 1867, I am also aware that Austria’s foreign policy is based on neutrality which has been used in the service of international co-operation, especially in support of closer relations between the countries of the North and those of the South. There are values which my Government shares with the people of Austria.

Since 1986 our relations with Austria have grown from strength to strength. We have signed two important agreements to facilitate and enhance co-operation between our two countries. In addition to the above, Austrian assistance to our country includes capital, technical and programme assistance in the water sector, energy and environment, small scale enterprise development and support for our economic reforms. Some Austrian NGOs are also involved in development projects in the rural areas. Through all these efforts the ties between the Austrian and the Ugandan people are getting closer and closer.

In conclusion, I am happy to be associated with the Ugandan Austrian Friendship Association. Let us use the Association to strengthen our social and cultural exchange and development and to bridge the distances between our peoples so that they can identify with each other as members of one human race and society. I am confident this Association will take our co-operation with Austria to even greater heights for the mutual benefits of our people.

I wish you colourful celebrations 

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

President of the Republic of Uganda