Ethiopia-Uganda Joint Ministerial Commission Resumes After Six-Year Hiatus
The Fourth Session of the Ethiopia-Uganda Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) has been officially opened at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, Thursday , marking the revival of high-level bilateral engagements after a six-year pause.
The two day session, running from 3rd to 4th April 2025, brings together senior government officials from both countries to strengthen cooperation across key sectors. Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, is leading a large delegation of ministers and technical experts drawn from the areas of trade, transport, immigration, energy, natural resources, defence, and security, among others.
Established under a 2011 agreement, the JMC sessions are meant to be held every two years on a rotational basis. The last session was hosted in Kampala in 2019. The current meeting is the first since the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Opening the Senior Officials’ Meeting earlier today, Uganda’s Ambassador Richard Kabonero Head of the Department of Regional Economic Cooperation emphasized the long-standing ties between the two nations. Representing the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Vincent Bagiire, Kabonero noted that the Commission has played a critical role since its inception in 1993.
“These engagements underscore Uganda’s commitment to advancing bilateral ties and addressing shared challenges, particularly in economic development and peace initiatives,” Kabonero said. “This Fourth Session is a vital platform to assess progress, confront emerging challenges, and shape future cooperation.”
Speaking on behalf of Ethiopia, Amb. Zerinu Abebe, Acting Director-General for African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the session would reinforce the strong historical ties between the two countries. He expressed optimism that the meeting would strengthen existing cooperation while opening new opportunities.
“The deliberations today allow us to reflect on ongoing partnerships and explore new areas of collaboration that will further deepen Ethiopia-Uganda relations,” Abebe said.
The discussions are taking place in a cordial and forward looking atmosphere. Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Etsegenet Bezabih Yimenu, stressed the importance of finalizing bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to provide a structured framework for collaboration, particularly in defence and security.
Uganda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, H.E. Rebecca Amuge Otengo, highlighted the need for regular JMC sessions to monitor and guide the bilateral relationship. She called on the respective foreign ministries to ensure that agreed-upon decisions are implemented effectively.
This year’s session focuses on three key clusters, including the Political and Diplomatic Affairs. Enhancing regional peace and security cooperation, transboundary water management, diplomatic dialogue, and immigration coordination.
The Defence and Security Cooperation. Strengthening partnerships in defence, justice, law enforcement, and border security.
And the Economic Development. Expanding collaboration in trade, energy, tourism, agriculture, minerals, and infrastructure including roads, railways, and air transport.
Both sides have also prioritized resolving key issues such as trade barriers, market access, and immigration concerns, reaffirming their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation and delivering tangible benefits to their citizens.
