Museveni Hosts Iranian Ambassador Amid Regional Tensions and Failed US-Iran Talks

President Yoweri Museveni welcomed Iranian Ambassador Majid Saffar at his Kyankwanzi residence on Sunday. The meeting, also attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Gen (rtd) Abubaker Jeje Odongo, focused on matters of mutual interest and potential cooperation between Uganda and Iran.

Museveni shared details of the encounter on X, highlighting the positive dialogue. This comes shortly after Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and the president’s son, sparked controversy with social media posts. He vowed to deploy Ugandan troops to support Israel if threatened and praised select militaries, including Israel’s.

Such statements have often required diplomatic clarification from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which maintains Uganda’s non-aligned stance.

The discussion occurred against the backdrop of collapsed US-Iran talks in Islamabad. After 21 hours of negotiations, no deal was reached to end the conflict that has killed thousands, disrupted global oil markets, and spiked prices. US Vice President JD Vance blamed Iran, while Iran’s Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf accused the US of lacking trust.

Key sticking points included Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, reparations, and regional ceasefires. The first direct high-level talks in decades ended without agreement, with supertankers beginning to navigate the strait under a fragile ceasefire.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)