President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni awarded Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed the Pearl of Africa Grand Master Medal last Saturday, on the occasion of the 29th national celebrations of Heroes’ Day.
The award is in recognition for his reconciliatory leadership in achieving peace and stability in Ethiopia and for extending an olive branch to Eritrea.
Heroes’ Day has been celebrated since 1989 in honour of Ugandans who had sacrificed their lives in the struggle to achieve national Independence, peace and democracy.
Prime Minister Dr Abiy arrived in Uganda on Friday 8 May for a two-day state visit. He held talks with President Museveni, with a particular focus on strengthening issues of mutual interest between the two countries, including trade and political ties. The two leaders noted the existing bonds of friendship and cooperation between Ethiopia and Uganda and agreed to concretise collaboration in priority sectors energy, trade, agriculture, transport, tourism and culture.
The two leaders also stressed the need to increase the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries by bringing together the respective private sectors to identify opportunities for trade and investment. They underscored the need to work on road transport linking North-eastern Uganda to Southern Ethiopia, through Northern Kenya.
The leaders also discussed the situation in South Sudan and called upon all parties to the conflict to renounce violence and armed rebellion and redouble efforts to find a peaceful political solution.
