Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, extended appreciation to outgoing Japanese Ambassador Fukuzawa Hidemoto for his significant contributions to Uganda’s development during his tenure, which began in October 2020 and ends in March.
Tayebwa highlighted the ambassador’s focus on strengthening Uganda’s education sector, particularly through support for primary schools and scholarship opportunities under programs like the African Kommit Programme. He also acknowledged the diplomat’s role in advocating for increased funding across various sectors, including education, research, infrastructure, and health. Notably, experts from Japan have assisted in designing roads, enhancing Uganda’s transportation infrastructure.
Bilateral relations between Uganda and Japan, spanning over six decades, have seen considerable Japanese investment in Uganda. However, challenges, such as the threat to funding for road construction due to maintenance issues, have arisen.
Various officials express gratitude for the ambassador’s contributions, including improvements in health centers, educational facilities, and disaster preparedness efforts. Some even propose offering Ugandan citizenship to Hidemoto as a gesture of appreciation for his positive impact on the country.
