South African President Jacob Zuma arrived in Kampala on Thursday for a two-day state visit, heading a large delegation expected to explore investment opportunities in Uganda’s new-found oil wealth.
“The visit is a big opportunity for Uganda and South Africa. Now that our country has discovered oil, they can help because they have the expertise in that field,” Uganda’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Isaac Musumba, told Agence France-Presse.
“Other than oil, we have a lot of potential in many areas, which I am sure the South African delegation will be interested in,” he added.
Zuma, whose delegation includes several Cabinet ministers and business leaders, received a 21-gun salute in Entebbe before going into a one-on-one meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
South Africa has a relatively small indigenous oil and gas industry but is exploring for more offshore and has several companies offering consulting services in refining and processing.
Uganda does not yet produce oil but is believed to have large potential and giants such as France’s Total and China’s CNOOC are vying for a share of the country’s existing oil fields.
Zuma was also expected to address members of Uganda’s National Chamber of Minerals and Petroleum.
He was later scheduled to address the East African nation’s Parliament and is due to unveil the cornerstone of the Oliver Tambo Leadership Institute on Friday. — AFP