Queen on Uganda visit
Thursday, 22 Nov 2007 12:50
The Queen's Uganda visit highlights the country's progress and problems
The Queen is visiting Uganda ahead of a crucial meeting of Commonwealth government leaders in the capital Kampala.
Yesterday afternoon she arrived at Entebbe airport before being received by Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni.
Together with Prince Philip, the monarch will attend a state banquet later after opening the Mildmay Centre, a specialist Aids clinic.
She is due to address the Ugandan parliament in Kampala, noting that the country has made "considerable advances" since her last state visit in 1954.
"Whether the individual links are long-standing or more recent, the United Kingdom remains a committed friend of Uganda," she will say.
"Prince Philip and I have reason to recall our own associations over the years with the greatest affection and extend to you all our good wishes for the years to come."
The Queen, titular head of the Commonwealth, will open the Commonwealth's 2007 heads-of-government meeting tomorrow at the Kampal Serena.
Pakistan is expected to be high on the agenda, especially with the Commonwealth ministerial action group threatening to suspend the south
Asian country later today.
Economic and international trade, good governance and climate change are also likely to feature heavily, secretary general Don McKinnon revealed today.
"Ever since those large UN reports on climate change came out this year, they have convinced many people that we need to do a lot more than we are currently doing," he said in a press briefing today.