By Spy Uganda
In a significant diplomatic engagement that signals deepening ties between Kampala and Algiers, Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs), Hon. Henry Okello Oryem, held high-level talks with Algeria’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Mourad Amokrane, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters on July 30th, 2025.
The meeting, held in anticipation of the upcoming Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IX), became more than a mere courtesy call. It evolved into a strategic dialogue about the future of Africa’s development, continental unity, and Uganda’s emerging diplomatic posture on the global stage.
Set to take place in Yokohama, Japan, from August 20–22, TICAD IX has emerged as one of the most important global platforms where African nations engage with development partners on equal footing. Uganda, with growing regional influence, is positioning itself as a key player in shaping Africa’s development agenda.
During their discussions, Minister Oryem and Ambassador Amokrane reaffirmed the strong Pan-African bond between Uganda and Algeria—two countries that have long supported the ideals of self-reliance, non-alignment, and South-South cooperation.
Notably, Algeria announced a landmark educational gesture: the allocation of 210 university scholarships for Ugandan students in 2025. “Education is not just empowerment; it’s a foundation for transforming societies,” Ambassador Amokrane emphasized, echoing Algeria’s commitment to building African capacity from the grassroots.
Minister Oryem welcomed the announcement and underscored Uganda’s own dedication to empowering youth as part of national and continental development. “Africa’s future will be built in classrooms, lecture halls, research labs—and this gesture by Algeria is a strategic investment in that future,” he said.
Beyond education, the talks also explored bilateral trade opportunities, particularly in agriculture, with both sides identifying Ugandan coffee and dairy products as priority sectors for potential Algerian investment and market access.
With both Uganda and Algeria preparing to play active roles in TICAD IX, the meeting concluded with a strong affirmation of mutual commitment. Hon. Oryem praised the enduring friendship, solidarity, and shared vision between the two nations, calling for deeper economic, diplomatic, and cultural engagement going forward.
As African countries look inward to forge stronger continental bonds while also engaging the world on their own terms, the Uganda-Algeria partnership may prove to be a model of strategic, Afro-centric cooperation driven by education, trade, and diplomacy.
