Israel commits to enhance relations as it marks Independence

UGANDA | ISREAL | DIPLOMACY 

KAMPALA - Israel has pledged strengthened bilateral relations with Uganda as the country marked 74 years of Independence.

Noah Gal Gendler, the ambassador of the State of Israel to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and Malawi as a sign of the strong bond between the two countries choose to commemorate the independence of Israel with Uganda.

Hosted by Pastor Robert Kayanja, the founder of the Robert Kayanja Ministries at Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral Thursday, the ambassador indicated that the cooperation with Uganda already established for decades will further deepen in the areas of agriculture, trade, tourism, technology and strategic defence and security.

Accompanied by the deputy ambassador, Dvora Dorsman Yarkoni and the Honorary Consul of the State of Israel, Ishta Asiimwe Kutesa, indicated that Uganda’s population with bright young people needed to change their attitude, become more flexible and diversify their potentials across different fields in order to make themselves better and the country.

“Therefore, we need to work together to transform our people. We can talk about sectors, inter-state MOUs but we also need to get to individuals and I am sure if we do this, Uganda and Africa as a whole, thing will be easy,” he said.

Pastor Robert Kayanja (R), welcomes Israel ambassador to the Sub-Saharan African countries, Michael Lotem (2nd L) and his deputy Drorah Yarkoni, right is Ishita Kutesa. (All Photos by Alfred Ochwo)

He moved on to assure Ugandans more especially businessmen and religious tourists that Israel remained peaceful and secure despite what he termed as disinformation which always emerge about the country.

Tension remained high in Israel over the alleged killing of Palestinian Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by the military.

Given the fact that Uganda’s economy is majorly agro-based, the ambassador asked government to boost support to farmers more especially in the area of financing.

“In a situation where a farmer can’t afford a loan on reasonable conditions, will not be able to do anything. We need to help them to secure finances.

The banks need to be convinced that they not trading in the risky business. People need to know that agriculture today is much dynamic,” he said.

Kutesa disclosed that in the bid to improve trade between Uganda and Israel, they were in talks with the Uganda Airlines in order to have direct flights to Israel.

“This will help to open up both countries to each other and will be able to see opportunities available,” she said.

She revealed that travel to Israel has been made easy after Israel setting up a visa processing liaison office in Kampala. “You longer need to travel to Nairobi to secure a Visa,” she said.

The ambassador had earlier indicated that the process of setting an Israel Embassy in Kampala were held back by limited funding and budget cuts back home.

In 2021, Uganda’s exports to Israel reached a value of $6.9m. This represented a slight increase compared to the previous year.

While on the other hand, in 2020, the value of exports decreased slightly to $6.8m down from $7.2m in 2019.

Kutesa commended Israel’s step to open up fully by suspending the requirement of negative PCR test before entering the country.

Israel every year offers 200 scholarships to Ugandan students mainly agricultural related studies.

According to Kayanja the blood of both Ugandans and Israelis shed during Operation Entebbe or Operation Thunderbolt which was a counter-terrorist hostage-rescue mission carried out by Israel commandos at Entebbe Airport on July 4, 1976 will forever continue to bond Uganda and Israel.

“It is only Uganda in Africa where the blood of Israelites and Ugandans was shed at the common ground and at the same time 42 years which makes our relations much deeper and historical.

Therefore, we are glad to host the ambassador and the deputy ambassador plus our consul to Israel on this outstanding occasion,” he said.

Kayanja suggested for the establishment of a monument to use it to boost tourism among others as he thanked Israel for support in different aspects. 

He called for boosted religious tourism.