The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied media reports attributed to Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Sam Kutesa, that Uganda has severed Diplomatic Relations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
According to Amb. James M. Mugume the permanent secretary ministry of foreign affairs, Uganda still supports and is committed to the three pillars of Nuclear Non-Proliferation which are non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and peaceful use of nuclear technology that are the cornerstone of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Ambassador Mugume claims Media interview remarks by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Kutesa were taken grossly out of context given that he was responding to a question on whether, in light of UNSC resolution 2276, the Government of Uganda would continue working with the DPRK which has been offering military and police training to Uganda.
He also clarifies that the disengagement of defence and police cooperation does not imply that Uganda has severed relations with the DPRK.
We have bilateral cooperation framework agreements with several countries which are revised, adjusted and cancelled regularly. These changes do not and should not be seen as severance of diplomatic relations.
“Severing of diplomatic relations is usually an act preceding a war between two states and is considered an act of hostility. It is characterized by expulsion of Diplomats and closure of Diplomatic premises. Uganda has not transmitted any such communication to Pyongyang or to the DPRK Embassy in Kampala” reads the press release.
