By Dean Lubowa Saava
Deep State Political Desk
The Chief Coordinator of OWC, Gen. (Rtd) Caleb Akandwanaho Salim Saleh, hosted a delegation from the U.S. Embassy in Uganda led by Ambassador William Popp today.
The delegation, which included Lt Col Christian Noumba, U.S. Defense Attaché and Senior Defense Official, and Ms. Lauren Kretz, First Secretary for Political Affairs, met Gen. Saleh in Gulu.
The meeting focused on security, peace, development, and foreign direct investment (FDI). Both sides expressed commitment to strengthening cooperation in areas such as public-private partnerships (PPPs), chamber of commerce engagement, commercial agriculture, and the establishment of data centers. The discussions underscored efforts to deepen collaboration between Uganda and the United States in advancing shared strategic priorities.
Earlier, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni about opportunities to deepen U.S.-Uganda cooperation on migration, reciprocal trade, and commercial ties.
The conversation came amid ongoing negotiations on migration agreements between the United States and several African nations.
Uganda has clarified that any cooperation with Washington on migration would be temporary and conditional, excluding individuals with criminal records or unaccompanied minors.
As one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting countries, Uganda shelters nearly two million people displaced from South Sudan, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the rest of Africa.
Museveni’s engagement with Secretary Rubio underscores Washington’s recognition of Uganda as both a strategic trade partner and a security and stability anchor in East Africa, the Great Lakes region, and the Horn of Africa.
The Secretary also thanked Uganda for providing a model of regional stability, including its valuable contributions to peacekeeping in East Africa.
