This event attracted members of the diplomatic corps, high commissioners, representatives from international organizations accredited to the Republic of Uganda, heads of institutions of higher learning, religious and opinion leaders, media partners among others.

Uganda was represented by Amb. Mohamed Ahmed Kisuule, the senior presidential Advisor on Middle East Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, Hon. Huda Abason Oleru, State Minister for Defense, Hon. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the state minister for Primary Education among others.

 

Invited guests were entertained by numerous achievements showed in the Video presentation about Iran

 

Mr. Issah Katungulu Luyimbaazi, the African Youth Ambassador and the event’s moderator gave background information about the registered achievements of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in the field of Science, Technology, Education, Health, Women in development.

 

On speaking, H.E. Majid Saffar, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the Occasion of the 46^th Anniversary of the Victory of the Islamic Revolution noted that such a day marks a pivotal moment in our history when, under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (RA) and with the unwavering support of the Iranian people, our nation reclaimed its independence, sovereignty, and dignity. Today, under the wise leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran continues to uphold the principles of justice, self-reliance, and resistance against oppression, despite external challenges and pressures.

On behalf of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran H.E. Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest appreciation to H.E. President Yoweri Museveni and all Ugandan officials for their continuous commitment to fostering stronger ties between our nations.

Iran and Uganda share a deep-rooted friendship built on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared aspirations for development and progress. Iran remains committed to expanding bilateral, regional, and international collaboration with Uganda in key sectors such as education, healthcare, trade, agriculture, energy, and technology transfer.

We also strongly support H.E. President Museveni’s vision for sustainable development, particularly his strategy to add value to Uganda’s agricultural and mineral raw materials, ensuring economic transformation and self-sufficiency.

Iran stands ready to strengthen its collaboration with Uganda in key sectors that will drive sustainable development and economic transformation.

·        In the field of agriculture and food security, we seek to support Uganda in establishing modern food processing industries, advancing mechanized farming techniques, and expanding irrigation systems. These initiatives will not only enhance agricultural productivity but also ensure that Uganda maximizes the value of its rich natural resources.

·        Furthermore, Iran is eager to contribute to Uganda’s industrialization efforts, particularly in mineral processing and petrochemical industries. By developing these sectors, Uganda can move beyond raw material exports and build a strong, value-added manufacturing base, creating more jobs and fostering economic resilience.

·        In the energy sector, renewable energy and infrastructure development remain a top priority. Iran has extensive expertise in solar and hydropower projects, and we are ready to share this knowledge to expand Uganda’s energy capacity and promote clean, sustainable solutions for its growing population.

·        Moreover, we recognize the vital role of science and technology in driving national progress. Iran seeks to deepen partnerships between our universities and research institutions, facilitating technology transfer, joint research, and innovation. By working together in these critical areas, we can unlock new opportunities for growth and ensure a prosperous future for both our nations.

Despite facing the most severe sanctions in history, the Islamic Republic of Iran has made remarkable strides in infrastructure, public services, and economic development- achievements that stand as a testament to the resilience of the Iranian people and the dedication of its leadership.

Let me highlight just a few figures that illustrate this progress:

·        Life expectancy has increased from 55 years before the Revolution to 75 years today, alongside nearly 100% health insurance coverage.

·        Gas supply has expanded dramatically- from only five cities and one village in 1979 to 100% coverage in cities and 90% in rural areas today.

·        Access to clean drinking water has risen from 74% urban and 12% rural coverage to nearly 100% in cities and 82% in villages- surpassing global averages.

·        Electricity production has grown from 2,500 MW to 93,000 MW, ensuring universal urban electrification and bringing power to over 57,000 villages- 13 times more than before.

·        Road networks have expanded significantly, with highways increasing 550-fold, and rural roads growing from 26,000 km to 200,000 km- a sixfold rise.

·        Personal vehicle ownership has jumped from 2.5 million cars serving 10% of the population to 25 million vehicles reaching 55% of households.

·        Gasoline production has reached 125 million liters per day, and Iran now exports up to 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually.

·        Petrochemical output has surged from 4.7 million tons to 70 million tons.

·        Agricultural production has increased fivefold to 130 million tons, achieving self-sufficiency in wheat with a record 15 million-ton harvest and significant growth in exports.

All these advancements were made under extraordinary challenges- sanctions and economic pressure. Yet, Iran has not only endured but thrived, proving that determination, innovation, and self-reliance can overcome even the toughest obstacles.

Iran sees Uganda not only as an important economic partner but also as an ally in promoting regional stability, peace, and prosperity.

As to Iran’s commitment to Human Rights and Global Justice, I would like to note that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a firm supporter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and humanitarian principles. Iran is a signatory to numerous international human rights conventions, and over the past decades, we have made significant progress in women’s rights, press freedom, and the rights of ethnic and religious minorities.

One of the main principles of H.E. President Pezeshkian’s administration is the protection of the rights of all ethnic and religious groups. As a testament to this commitment, several government positions have been entrusted to individuals from these communities.

Unfortunately, some hostile countries have misused international institutions to make politically motivated and unfair accusations against Iran’s human rights record. These allegations lack fairness and credibility and are aimed at tarnishing Iran’s image for political purposes.

At the same time, these same countries turn a blind eye to gross human rights violations by the Israeli regime, which has committed heinous war crimes against the Palestinian people. They continue to supply weapons to the Zionists, making them direct accomplices in the genocide and crimes against humanity being committed in Gaza.

As to the cause of Palestine, I must note that contrary to the false and distorted narrative spread by the Zionists and its Western supporters regarding the events of October 7^th, the Al-Aqsa Flood operation was a spontaneous and legitimate response by the Palestinian people against 75 years of occupation, forced displacement, systematic oppression, apartheid policies, and a 17-year inhumane blockade of Gaza.

We firmly believe that true and lasting peace in the Middle East can never be achieved without ending the occupation and ensuring the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. To this end, the Islamic Republic of Iran has proposed a democratic initiative: a national referendum in Palestine, allowing all Muslim, Christian, and Jewish residents to determine their own political future.

Iran supports the ongoing ceasefire negotiations and insists that any post-war arrangement for Gaza must be led by Palestinians themselves, rejecting any externally imposed solutions.

The Islamic Republic of Iran also remains committed to preserving Syria’s stability, security, and territorial integrity, recognizing its direct impact on regional and global peace. Iran’s foreign policy is based on respecting national sovereignty and engaging with governments chosen by the people.

In conclusion, the Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to deepening its friendship and cooperation with Uganda. We stand ready to collaborate in agriculture, industry, energy, science, and technology to achieve shared prosperity.

I once again thank H.E. President Museveni, the Ugandan government, and all esteemed guests for their presence today. Your participation reaffirms the strong and growing bonds between Iran and Uganda.

Long live Iran-Uganda friendship!

Long live the spirit of cooperation!

Remarks by Amb. Mohamed Ahmed Kisuule, the senior presidential Advisor on Middle East Affairs of the Republic of Uganda on the Occasion of the Celebration of national day of the Islamic Republic of Iran at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Kampala

It is with great honour and pleasure, on behalf of the Government and people of the republic of Uganda, and on my own behalf, to commemorate the national day of the Islamic Republic of Iran with you all.

This day marks the end of the Iranian people’s fight for sovereignty, independence, and self -determination. The victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 symbolized the resilience of the Iranian people in their pursuit of governance based on their values, principles and aspirations.

Uganda values its long-standing and cordial relations with the Islamic republic of Iran, which have continued to grow over the years. Our shared commitment to mutual respect, sovereignty, and the principles of South-South cooperation have been the foundation of our partnership.

Our cooperation with Iran encompasses multiple sectors, and we take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant contributions that Iran has made towards Uganda’s development. The visit of His Excellency Dr. Syed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to Uganda in 2023 highlighted the importance of our collaboration and opened new avenues for enhanced bilateral engagement.

In this regards, Uganda and Iran signed five Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agriculture, Foreign Affairs, and the establishment of a joint permanent commission.

Further to this, we moved no fruitful political consultations this month, aimed at strengthening our long rations. The Iranian delegation led by Ambassador Akbar Khorsravinejad, Assistant Minister and Director-General for Africa held discussions with the Uganda side, which focused on political cooperon, regional peace and security, trade, investment, education, health, and technology. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to diplomatic dialogue, multilateralism, and economic collaboration, particularly in energy, infrastructure, and agriculture reinforcing our shared vision for prosperity. This meeting marked a renewed dedication to ongoing engagement and the implementation of key initiatives for the mutual benefit of our nations.

Uganda appreciates Iran’s expertise in the oil and gas sector and recognize its extensive experience in petroleum refining. As a country that has recently discovered oil resources, Uganda seeks Iran’s support in establishing an oil refinery and developing a robust petrochemical industry. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has consistently highlighted the importance of refining Uganda’s oil domestically to maximise value addition, and Iran’s technical assistance will be invaluable in realizing this vision.

The presence of Iranian companies such as Darley Investment coffee processors and exporters, underscores the growing trade relations between our two nations. We encourage further investments in agro-processing to enhance value addition and boost Uganda’s export base.

Iran played a pivotal role in Uganda’s infrastructure development, notably through the establishment of Iran Hospital, which continues to provide critical medical services to Ugandans. We extend our sincere gratitude for this vital contribution and look forward to further cooperation in health sector, including medical training and the transfer of advanced healthcare technologies.

Uganda and Iran share a strong commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and South -South cooperation. We shall continue to work together within these frameworks and others to advance economic growth, technological advancement, and political solidarity.

As I conclude, I reiterate Uganda’s commitment to further strengthening our friendship with the Islamic Republic of Iran. We look forward to deeper cooperation in trade, energy, health, infrastructure and ICT for shared prosperity of our two nations.