By Our Reporter
PARLIAMENT – Jerusalem is one of the most visited cities in Israel with the city receiving more than 3.5 million tourists annually.
For many Christians, it is considered a holy city because of its association with the birth, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
UG Christian News has learnt that the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah has called on the Embassy of Israel based in Kenya to ease visa restrictions for Ugandans seeking to travel to Israel for study and tourism purposes among other things.
According to a statement from Parliament, the Deputy Speaker said that many Ugandans are eager to go to Israel and “thus making it easy for them to access the Holy Land would additionally promote Israel’s tourism potential.”
“Our visa conditions sometimes are difficult because one has to keep getting a visa before they go to Israel. We need a move from the Embassy in Kenya for a reciprocal arrangement for Ugandans to make it to Israel,” said Oulanyah.
He was meeting the Deputy Ambassador of Israel to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and Malawi, Mr Eyal David who paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Speaker and MPs on Wednesday, 12 December 2018.
This development follows recent reports that Israel could reopen their embassy in Uganda, 41 years after it was closed by then president Idi Amin.
Oulanyah, according to the statement from Parliament, also reiterated MPs appreciation of Israel’s technological advancement in agricultural management which he said Ugandan farmers could emulate so as to improve on their farm yields even during dry seasons.
The new Deputy Ambassador on his part appreciated the good relations between Uganda and Israel said that several Israeli Non-Governmental Organizations had set up base to serve in different regions of the country.
“I had a meeting with the Health Minister to discuss one of our flagship projects based in Kiboga where we opened a diabetes clinic. We are collaborating with the ministry to spread the initiative all-over Uganda,” Eyal said.
Eyal also reminisced Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu’s 2016 visit to Uganda, which he says affirmed the two countries’ ties in many aspects particularly agriculture where over 220 students are sent annually to Israel to get apprenticeship and training.
The meeting was attended by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Betty Aol Ocan, Hon. Francis Gonahasa (MP, Kabweri County), Hon. Anne Mary Tumwine (MP, Ntoroko County), Hon. Everlyn Chemutai (MP, Bukwo) and Hon. Denis Obua (MP, Ajuri County).
Ambassador Eyal also met Kampala Minister, Betty Kamya who in May 2018 attended the International Conference for Women Leaders in Israel, hosted by MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation focused on HumanCapacityBuilding to empower those living in poverty to improve their own lives
