President Museveni has asked Iran President, Ebrahim Raisi, who is visiting the country, to help Uganda with technology in the development of the oil refinery and petrochemical production.
President Museveni said Iran has experience in oil production and petrochemical industry, which Uganda doesn’t have.
President Museveni said while hosting Raisi at State House in Entebbe yesterday that there is an area of complementarity and urged the ministers to take up this matter.
President Museveni’s call for Iran’s help comes at the time when some European countries and international organisations are exerting pressure on Uganda and financial institutions to stop the construction of oil refinery and the oil pipeline on allegations that it would lead to environmental challenges.
The oil refinery is expected to cost between $4b and $5b (Shs16 trillion) to construct.
President Museveni insists on construction of both, and often says if the Western funders pull out, he would find willing partners in other parts of the world.
Both presidents agreed that there is a need to escalate the sharing of technology in the oil sector and trade.
Three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two countries and these covered agricultural development, security and trade.
President Raisi said there is a need to expand and promote the bilateral relationship between Uganda and Iran in areas of politics, economy, science and technology.
