TURKMENISTAN ENVOY PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO PRESIDENT MUSEVENI

The leader of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, Mr. Ata Serdarow,
today paid a courtesy visit to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State
House, Entebbe before departing Uganda.

Mr. Serdarow had travelled to Uganda to represent H.E. Serdar
Berdimuhamedow, the President of Turkmenistan, at President
Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony held on 12 th May, 2026.

President Museveni welcomed Mr. Serdarow and thanked him for
travelling to Uganda to represent President Berdimuhamedow at the
ceremony.

In the same meeting, President Museveni also gifted Mr. Serdarow
books about Uganda as a gesture of friendship and cooperation
between the two countries.

On his part, Mr. Serdarow expressed Turkmenistan’s interest in
strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation with Uganda.

“We wish to develop relations between our two countries and also
strengthen cooperation between our parties and parliaments,” Mr.
Serdarow said.

“Using this opportunity, I would also like to thank the Foreign Affairs
office for their efforts and the hospitality they showed us. Thank you very
much and I wish you the very best,” he added.

Mr. Serdarow described the visit as historic, noting that it was his first
time in Uganda and also the first official visit by a representative from
Turkmenistan to the country.

“This is my first time in Uganda and also the first time a representative
from our country has visited here,” he said.

Mr. Serdarow further briefed President Museveni on Turkmenistan’s
economy, noting that the country is rich in natural gas and oil reserves.
“Our country is rich in natural gas and oil reserves. We supply gas to
China through three pipelines every year and we are also planning to
build a fourth line,” he noted.

He added that Turkmenistan also exports cotton and textile products to
several countries, including the United States of America.

“We also produce cotton and high-quality textile products which we
export to other countries, including the USA. We produce meat, beef and
more than one million tonnes of wheat,” he said.

Mr. Serdarow also explained that about 80 percent of Turkmenistan is
covered by desert, creating challenges related to water scarcity.
Despite this, he praised Uganda for its climate, natural beauty and
hospitality.

“I like this nation very much because of the weather, the water and the
natural environment,” he said.

“Your people and yourself, Your Excellency, are very hospitable. We
witnessed the unity and joy of Ugandans during our stay here. It was a
big surprise for me to see such a beautiful and warm nation,” he added.

Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia bordered by Iran,
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea, with a
population of about seven million people.

The meeting was also attended by Hon. Henry Okello Oryem, the
outgoing Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.