Relations between France and Uganda develop after the appointment by Paris of the new ambassador

Franco-Benin diplomat Jules Armand Aniambossou succeeded outgoing ambbadador Stéphanie Rivoual as head of the French Embbady in Uganda in May. His arrival drew the interest of Ugandans and raised hopes of strengthening economic cooperation between the two allies.

Aniambossou received this week the approval of his Ugandan Foreign Minister, Sam Kutesa, who expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations through increased trade cooperation.

The new ambbadador, who signed his credentials at the French Embbady in Benin, the United Kingdom, Greece and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), also promised a solid program.

He wants to take advantage of the presence and investment of French companies in Uganda "to provide a sustainable training force for employment," said Aniambossou in a speech last month.

Trade between the two countries amounted to 61 million euros last year and the two countries maintain their cooperation in the areas of defense and security.

"Military cooperation is strong," said Alfred Onek, spokesman for the French Embbady in Uganda.

"France trains Ugandan soldiers stationed in Somalia, and even mountain brigades, a first of its kind," he told RFI during a visit to Paris.

Their cooperation is also economic. French companies such as Total and Lafarge have made significant progress, said Onek, saying "Total was taking the lead in the oil sector".

In 2009, Kampala discovered its first oil wells after years of careful exploration.

"We expect the first oil to be produced by 2021, and Total is heavily involved in the process, so the relationship is warm," he said.

French fantasy
For the last two years, Uganda has organized a festival, Friendship Week, bringing together ministers and distinguished guests to celebrate French language, cuisine and culture.

"Ugandans love French," says Onek. "About 300 to 500,000 Ugandans are French-speaking, and this is growing day by day."

Heads of State of the East African Community are currently in talks to make French the second international language after English.

"When you ask Ugandans what they like about French, they say Paris," says Onek, adding that the city of love had attracted potential honeymoons.

"There is a fantasy about France, about the French." A fantasy that he says is probably not going to end anytime soon.