Kyankwanzi, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday met Iranian Ambassador Majid Saffar in Kyankwanzi for high-level talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Uganda and Iran.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the ongoing NRM retreat, brought together key officials, including Uganda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gen Jeje Odongo, as Kampala and Tehran seek to deepen ties across strategic sectors.
“I welcomed His Excellency Majid Saffar, the Iranian Ambassador to Uganda, who called on me this afternoon in Kyankwanzi. We discussed issues of mutual interest and cooperation between Uganda and Iran,” President Museveni said.
The talks come amid renewed diplomatic engagement between the two countries, with Iran actively expanding its footprint in East Africa through partnerships in trade, energy, agriculture, and health.
Uganda and Iran have maintained diplomatic relations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with cooperation evolving over the years into economic and technical partnerships.
Ambassador Saffar’s visit is part of a broader diplomatic push by Tehran to strengthen ties within the region, positioning Uganda as a key partner in its East African engagement strategy.
The meeting also carries added geopolitical weight, given Museveni’s role as Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a bloc that includes Iran.
Over the years, Museveni has used the platform to engage global leaders on issues of international cooperation, sovereignty, and stability, including discussions involving Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Iran, facing ongoing tensions with Western powers, has maintained that its outreach to African countries is focused on mutually beneficial cooperation rather than geopolitical confrontation.
Officials familiar with the discussions say both sides explored opportunities to expand economic cooperation, particularly in sectors where Uganda is seeking investment and technical support.
Key areas of interest include Energy development and technology transfer, Agricultural value addition and irrigation, Healthcare collaboration and pharmaceuticals, trade expansion and industrial partnerships
The meeting signals a continued commitment by both Kampala and Tehran to sustain diplomatic dialogue while exploring new avenues for economic growth and cooperation.
Uganda has in recent years pursued a diversified foreign policy, strengthening ties with both traditional Western partners and emerging global players in Asia and the Middle East.
Analysts say such engagements reflect Kampala’s strategy to attract investment, enhance technology transfer, and position itself as a regional hub for trade and diplomacy.
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