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President Museveni and His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Nigerian traditional ruler of the Kingdom of Warri, discussed collaboration in oil exploration and agriculture. They emphasized the significance of unity among African traditional leaders. The meeting covered plans for training young people in oil and gas and agriculture.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni yesterday 12th December 2023 met and held discussions with His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, a Nigerian traditional ruler of the Kingdom of Warri in the Delta State, who called on him at State Lodge, Nakasero.

President Museveni and Ogiame Atuwatse III’s delegation had productive talks about oil exploration and agricultural processing.

President Museveni told the visiting delegation that Uganda is making good progress in the oil and gas sector, particularly with the refinery, and that her country is eager to collaborate with other like-minded organizations to further develop her oil resources.

“For the refinery, we’re moving with some people but you can also give your ideas to the Ministry of Energy and we see how we move together,” H.E Museveni said.

The President was also happy to learn that Nigerian Aliko Dangote is building a refinery in Lagos. The plant is expected to help the energy-rich country become more self-sufficient.

Mr Fabrice Rulinda, Entebbe Municipality Mayor who accompanied the Nigerian delegation informed the President that His Majesty and the team have already met relevant authorities in oil and gas like Petroleum Authority of Uganda and the Uganda National Oil Company and are ready to train young people in oil & gas and agriculture. The team has also established land in Mubende to do farming.

On agriculture, President Museveni informed his guests not to forget agro-processing as one of the sectors Uganda is still in need of. His Excellency noted that whereas Ugandans are excited with oil, “but I tell them that agriculture is everlasting oil. It will be there forever. This oil in the ground can get finished. Agriculture is a big wealth for our people,” Museveni further noted.

He gave an example of the booming diary industry which has grown significantly.

“When we came from fighting in 1986, I advised these Ugandans to develop the dairy industry. Because they were importing milk powder from Denmark. I advised them that we have been keeping cows for 12,000 years, how can you import milk? Now that sector is very big. They’re producing about 5 billion liters of milk, up from 200 million that time,” H.E Museveni said, adding that the major problem is the insufficient market for the milk products.

President Museveni claims that this explains why Uganda’s inflation rate, which is 2.3%, is still among the lowest, with the primary cause being the availability of food, despite production not meeting his directives’ expected capacity.

Regarding culture, President Museveni counseled His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III and other African traditional leaders to concentrate on bringing the nearly connected people of the continent together.

“I usually tell these kings here; you should work to unite us. You should discover how linked you are rather than discover how different you are. Show us the linkages among the Africans because the linkages are there,” H.E Museveni said.

His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, a history student, told the president that he was impressed with his recall of Nigeria’s recent political upheavals.

Prince Toju Emiko and a number of chiefs, including Chief Elijah Temile, Chief Walter Bovo, and Chief Wilson Olley, were part of the Nigerian delegation.

Additional individuals included oil and gas specialists Mr. Kolawole Olaleye and Mr. Sola Nesiama, Engineer Obi Charles Nnamna, Kaltani’s CEO, Mr. Osahon Okunbo, CEO of Ature Energy, and Dr. Morris Diovwa, Chairman of the Bicens group of companies.

Ogiame Atuwatse III (born 2 April 1984) is a Nigerian traditional king of the Kingdom of Warri in the Delta State. He was born Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, also known as Tsola Emiko, on April 2, 1984 to Olu Atuwatse II, the 19th Olu of Warri, and Gladys Durorike Emiko. He is also a descendant of Olu Akengbuwa

He was crowned the 21st Olu of Warri on August 21, 2021 at Ode-Itsekiri, succeeding his uncle, Ogiame Ikenwoli.