KAMPALA — Newly appointed Honorary Consul of the Israel to Uganda, Ms. Ishta Asiimwe Kutesa has presented patent credentials to Minister of State for International Cooperation Henry Okello Oryem.
Ms. Asiimwe Kutesa who handed over her credentials on Tuesday at Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kampala is a daughter to Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa.
Oryem congratulated Ms. Kutesa upon her appointment and called upon her to explore further areas of promoting the existing good bilateral relationship between Uganda and Israel.
He assured her of the Ministry’s support in the exercise of her duties.
Ms. Kutesa pledged to continue strengthening the relationship between the two countries not only in the existing areas such as Health, Education, Economic and Cultural sectors, but to also explore new opportunities.
The sides exchanged views on the current state of relations between Israel and Uganda.
Uganda and Israel are cooperating in areas of; Agriculture, Security, Health sector and ICT among others.
In February this year, President Yoweri Museveni and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference in which the Israel leader said he his country was considering opening an embassy in Kampala.
Uganda is “studying” the possibility of opening an embassy in Jerusalem, President Museveni said during a visit by Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Commentators say such a move would be seen internationally as a statement of support for Israel’s claim for the city of Jerusalem to be its capital, a potential political win for Netanyahu less than a month before a national election on March 2.
“If a friend says I want your embassy here rather than there I don’t see why there would be…,” Museveni said before trailing off and continuing: “we are really working, we’re studying that.”
