His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has asked the government of Iran to encourage its people to invest more in Uganda, saying the current peace and economic security makes the country ideal for investment.
Museveni revealed this to the outgoing Iranian ambassador to Uganda, Seyed Morteza Mortazavi, during a meeting held at State House on Tuesday, which was attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Sam Kahamba Kutesa.
He assured Ambassador Mortazavi that Uganda has a huge investment potential that is ripe for exploitation by Iranian investors, noting that due to the continued cooperation between Iran and Uganda there is no reason why Iranian investors should invest in the country.
Ambassador Mortazavi, who ended his three-year tour of duty in Uganda, had paid a courtesy call to the President and bid him farewell.
Museveni warmly welcomed the Iranian delegation at State House and assured them that Iran and Uganda have enjoyed mutual relations since 1986 which should be one of the reasons for Iranians to invest their money here.
Museveni noted that as a result of this cordial relationship between the two countries he has visited Iran several times on official duty.
In his concluding remarks, the President encouraged Iranians to emulate what the Chinese have done in Kapeeka and other parts of the country by setting up manufacturing plants and other business ventures in Uganda.
H.E Mortazavi, who was in the company of Akbar Khorrami, the Economic attaché at the Iranian Embassy in Uganda, thanked President Museveni for the cordial working relationship and support rendered to him during his tour of duty in Uganda.
Ambassador Mortazavi said that during his tenure, he put emphasis on cementing relations between Uganda and Iran by urging both political and business delegations to visit the country.
He thanked President Museveni for his continued efforts to maintain peace, stability, security and prosperity of Uganda, noting that he will do everything possible to encourage more Iranian investors to utilize the business opportunities in the country.