Members of Parliament on Tuesday hailed the government of Japan for its tremendous support of development projects in Uganda as the House bid farewell to the outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Uganda, Fukuzawa Hidemoto.
Ambassador Hidemoto paid a visit to Parliament to bid farewell to Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and also made it to the gallery to observe the proceedings of the afternoon plenary sitting.
Tayebwa told Parliament that the ambassador, who has been his personal friend and fellow golfer, has played a key role in lobbying for funds to develop different sectors in Uganda.
“On a painful note for me personally, Ambassador Hidemoto is leaving Uganda after completing his tour of duty. During his time, he has been able to lobby for the people of Uganda and the government for increased funding for sectors ranging from basic education, university research, infrastructure, and the energy sector. He has touched each and everything, said Tayebwa.
The Deputy Speaker also said that Japan, through the lobbying of Ambassador Hidemoto, has contributed to the health sector, including the donation of ambulances. Specifically on infrastructure development, Tayebwa hailed Japan for technology and skills transfer, helping construct modern designs of roads and bridges.
“So, now we have experts from Japan. Experts in highway and flyover designs who have been studying our country and helping us to come up with the most concrete designs for roads, and we know Japan is associated with quality, added Tayebwa.
The Deputy Speaker, however, declined to grant a motion without notice that was moved by Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who wanted Parliament to pass a resolution arguing the government to grant Ugandan citizenship to Ambassador Hidemoto.
Ssemujju, who got support from 3rd Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, said that with the good things being said of Hidemoto and his selfless contributions in Uganda, it would be better if he returned and provided leadership.
“We had an ambassador from Germany who was very good to Uganda. He was offered citizenship and even returned to settle here. He even became a presidential advisor. I want us to urge the government to bestow citizenship to the Ambassador (Hidemoto), and it will be up to him to decide. If he returns here, we can even ask him to provide leadership”, argued Ssemujju.
Tayebwa said that he could not allow the motion because if Hidemoto is interested, he can apply for citizenship independently.
Government Chief Whip Denis Humson Obua lauded the Ambassador for helping the Uganda Olympic team settle in Japan during the 2022 Olympic Games held in Tokyo.
“I want to pay tribute to the outgoing Ambassador. I worked closely with the ambassador as Minister of State for sports. The ambassador we see up here (in the gallery) is part of why Uganda participated in the 2022 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan and ended up putting up the most viable competition in our post-independence history. I want to thank him because he coordinated our team very well. Remember, the 2022 Olympics was held during Covid-19. He connected team Uganda to the pre-trial camp in two cities in Japan, said Obua.
MPS SING PRAISES
Through the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA), the government of Japan has been supporting different development initiatives in Uganda, and Ambassador Hidemoto has been traversing the country to commission completed projects.
Legislators who spoke to react to the Deputy Speaker’s communication commended the outgoing Ambassador for accepting to work with the rural communities.
ISAAC OTIMGIW- PADYERE COUNTY
I want to thank the Japanese government through our Ambassador for their efforts in the health industry. Recently, the Ministry (Health) launched about 116 ambulances to go to our constituencies and out of the 116 ambulances, 25 type B ambulances were a direct donation from the Japanese government. And for the districts with refugee-hosting areas, they have donated over $79 million to support projects.
JUDITH ACHAN-NWOYA DISTRICT WOMAN MP
I benefit from his hard work during his tour [of duty] in Uganda. One of our health centres in Nwoya District, the Kocigoma Health Centre III maternity ward, benefited. I was privileged to be part of the commissioning of the maternity ward on that day.
SAMUEL ACUTE OPIO-KOLE NORTH
My constituency is one of the beneficiaries. They provided solar to Aliro Secondary School and fully equipped the laboratory that is functioning today.
AGGREY BAGIIRE-BUNYA COUNTY WEST
The outgoing Ambassador has played his part in improving this country’s lives and economy. The Jinja bridge that all of us are happy about was his effort, and we want to thank him for that. The planned bridge on Karuma has been his effort. I remember we discussed with him when I held an office (State Minister for Transport) at that time; he told me the challenge Uganda faces is the death of people on the roads and he brought in the idea of training the drivers in defensive driving. He wanted to bring machines to Uganda to train drivers like they train pilots.
EPHRAIM BIRARO-BUHWEJU WEST
My Buhweju is an area that has not benefited from NGOs (non-governmental organisations), but Japan, without much soliciting and pushing, built water tanks in about seven primary schools, and they are the only ones that exist there so far. As Buhweju people and Ugandans, we thank such a country and such an ambassador, and we hope that the incoming will sustain what he did and even build much more.
SARAH OPENDI- TORORO DISTRICT WOMAN MP
They have supported various projects in the Health Sector and also in the Education Sector. Certainly, a number of schools in the Districts were constructed through their support and specifically through the JICA. On behalf of the Minister of Health, who is not here because she is touring the country, I want to thank the people of Japan for that gesture.
