Le 14 juillet à Kampala

Let me hail your presence on this weekend to commemorate the 1789 Revolution with the French. I thank the Government and citizens of Uganda for the hospitality granted to this embassy and to the French community. You are all welcome, let us celebrate together.

Another year has passed, during which Uganda has fared better. Spectacular moves have been taken to tackle corruption ; but a Frenchman can tell you that it takes more than dragging politicians to courts to clean up public life. The Juba peace process with the LRA has so far produced very encouraging results, for which we congratulate the parties involved as well as the mediators. Emphasis on peace is legitimate ; but I believe that the confidence which is still needed in order to accelerate the return home of displaced persons also rests on the achievement of an authentic and convincing justice.

Uganda is proving in Somalia that the best solutions to African problems are African made. The UPDF contingent in Mogadishu deserves our praise. We have also hailed the summit of the East-African Community held last month in Kampala. The adhesion of Burundi and Rwanda will enable the EAC to reach its critical mass, and will at the same time give these new members a stronger sense of belonging. Your country will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November. As it embraces the world, let Uganda show the best of itself, united, democratic, innovative and attentive to the needs of its less privileged citizens.

France has recently gone through conspicuous political changes, with the presidential elections held last April-May, with the renewal of our National Assembly and the formation of a new government in June. Our new President, Nicolas Sarkozy, invites us to "rehabilitate work, authority, morale, respect and merit". These values will inspire his action in the domestic sphere. President Sarkozy’s first moves abroad were aimed at bridging conflicting positions on the European Union Constitution ; and to extend "a brotherly call to all Africans, to tell them that we want to help them vanquish disease, hunger and poverty, and to live in peace".

This has been illustrated by the international meeting hosted in Paris on 25th June, with the ambition of fostering peace in Darfur and in Chad. France acts in unison with its partners of the European Union. One of our common objectives is to facilitate the speedy and meaningful conclusion of an Economic Partnership Agreement between East Africa and the European Commission. As a matter of fact, this Embassy is to hold the presidency of the European Union during three semesters : for Portugal until the end of 2007 ; for Slovenia until 30th June 2008 ; for France till 31st December 2008.

This Embassy pledges to enhance its co-operation with Uganda. Only to mention a few actions, we will continue our efforts towards children affected by the conflict in the North ; AFD, the French Development Agency, is co-financing the Bujagali Dam ; the French Army will train the next Somalia bound contingent.

Allow me some last words in French. Chers compatriotes et amis francophones, la fête de la francophonie a pris cette année, grâce à vous, une nouvelle dimension. L’Ecole française et l’Alliance française dont je félicite le nouveau président, M. René Bartoli, progressent vers la réalisation, d’ici 2008, du pôle francophone, en lien avec la société culturelle allemande. Devant vous tous, je voudrais remercier également l’attaché de défense et Madame Bernardon, le conseiller de coopération et Madame Dubois-Mercent, ainsi que le Consul, Monsieur Guyot. Ces collègues de valeur s’en vont. L’ambassade, leurs interlocuteurs et amis ougandais, internationaux et français les regretteront.

Let me propose a toast to the health of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda.

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