President Museveni has appointed former Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda as the Special Envoy to spearhead fundraising efforts for the construction of the Afro Arab Youth Council headquarters in Nakawuka, Wakiso district.
The appointment was made during a high-level meeting at State House, Entebbe, where a delegation of AAYC executive members, led by Secretary General Dr. Abbas Agaba, engaged the president on the council’s progress and future plans.
During the meeting, the Secretary General updated the president on the council’s activities and expressed gratitude for his continued support, including writing letters to mobilize funds for the headquarters project.
He requested the president to issue a follow-up letter to Zimbabwe and other Arab League countries to further boost the fundraising efforts.
The Secretary General also proposed that a special envoy be designated to travel with the AAYC team to member countries, a role now entrusted to Dr. Rugunda.
In preparation for AAYC’s upcoming anniversary, the Minister of Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, was tasked with leading the event’s preparations.
The celebrations, initially scheduled for March, have been postponed to May 25 due to the observance of Ramadan, ensuring broader participation from member states.
The Secretary General also highlighted plans for a general assembly to restructure the council’s leadership.
On regional stability, the Secretary General urged the president to continue pushing for peace in Sudan, acknowledging his role in calming tensions in the region.
President Museveni emphasized that the root cause of Sudan’s conflict lies in ideological differences and the decision to turn Khartoum into a battlefield.
He also addressed ongoing instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo, attributing it to the lack of dialogue among leaders.
Regarding economic initiatives, the Secretary General requested the president’s intervention in the offtake agreement for Accend Pharma Limited.
President Museveni assured that he would follow up on the matter, reaffirming his commitment to supporting the council’s initiatives.
The president reiterated his dedication to backing the AAYC’s mission, emphasizing that Uganda remains committed to fostering stronger ties between African and Arab youth for sustainable development.
