11 July 2022
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor visited Uganda to co-chair the 2nd Session of South Africa- Uganda Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), with her counterpart, H.E. Jeje Abubakhar Odongo, the Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs during 11 – 12 July 2022
South Africa hosted the first session of the JCC in 2012.
Amongst the key objectives, the JCC meeting seeked to strengthen and deepen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, consolidate political, economic and social cooperation, oversee the implementation of the signed agreements and Memoranda of Understanding; explore possible new areas of economic, trade and investment cooperation, including the opportunities for bilateral commercial cooperation, joint ventures and possible collaborative projects presented by the operationalisation of the AfCFTA.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for both leaders to discuss issues of mutual concern and interest, especially issues of peace, security and development in the continent to advance the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and lastly, enhance the two countries’ strategic cooperation on the Continent to amplify Africa’s voice and the call for the reform of the multilateral institutions, especially the United Nations Security Council.
South Africa and Uganda enjoy longstanding historical relations dating back to the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. Uganda hosted and trained South African anti-apartheid activists and freedom fighters in the late 1980s. Political and economic relations between South Africa and Uganda have been improving since 1994.