Government is providing 20 acres of land, in close proximity to the current UN Logistics base, to expand UN operations. The Government of Uganda also welcomes proposals by the UN in the Global Service Delivery Model to consolidate further, the Entebbe Regional Service Center so that all peacekeeping, special political and other missions’ national staff and uniformed personnel are serviced out of Entebbe.
These remarks were made by State Minister for International Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem, in a meeting with Ms. Lisa Buttenheim, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Field Support at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday 28th April 2017.
The Minister welcomed the ASG to Uganda and appreciated the support from the Department of Field Support in the transformation of the Regional Service Center Entebbe (RSCE), to what it is today. He encouraged other senior members of the UN leadership to continue to visit the RSCE. He said that he is looking forward to a visit by the UN Secretary-General when he convenes the Refugee Solidarity conference in June of this year.
Emphasizing that Government remains ready to strengthen collaboration with the UN, Hon. Oryem also commended the leadership of the RSCE and MONUSCO for remaining engaged with the Government of Uganda and encouraged that this continues. He pledged the Government’s commitment to provide support for its expansion of the RSCE. The Government, he said, will continue to give priority to Security, Infrastructure and other facilities and also mobilize the private sector to supply goods and services to the RSCE.
ASG Buttenheim applauded Uganda for its continued support for the Missions in South Sudan and DRC, emphasizing that the logistical requirements for the Peacekeeping Missions in South Sudan and in the DRC are heavy and that the expansion of its operations was timely. Ms. Buttenheim stressed that the Logistics hub at Entebbe is a vital link to more than just the neighboring countries.
Buttenheim expressed gratitude for Uganda’s continued commitment to excellent collaboration between the United Nations and the Government of Uganda. She lauded plans to build the Standard Gauge Railway, stating that the SGR completion, will increase the supply chain efficiencies for the Logistics hub, given that rail transport is cheaper, safer and faster from the Mombasa Coast than road transport.
In attendance at the meeting was Ms Safia Boly, Chief of the Regional Service Centre Entebbe, Mr. Ibrahim Diouf MONUSCO Representative in Uganda and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
