Seychelles Expresses Interest in Hiring More Ugandan Scientists

Seychelles says Ugandan expatriates currently employed in the country and those before them have performed well and it wants to hire more teachers of science and doctors, according to the ministry of foreign affairs.

The interest was expressed during a meeting between a delegation led by Uganda's High Commissioner to Seychelles Dr. Hassan Wasswa Galiwango and the island nation's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister of Agriculture and Climate Change and Environment Flavien Joubert, Minister of Health Peggy Vidot and Principal Secretary for Education Services Department Dr. Odile Decomarmond. 

Some of the notable Ugandans who have worked in the country include Justice Martin Stephen Egonda Ntende who was the Chief Justice of Seychelles from 2009 to 2014, Justice Lilian Tibatemwa Ekirikubinza (Court of Appeal, 2019), Justice Duncan Gaswaga (First Anti-Corruption Commission, 2016) and Justice Akiiki Kiiza (Supreme Court, 2014).

Dr. Galiwango, who also represents Uganda in Kenya, met the ministers after presenting his letters of credence to President Wavel Ramkalawan on Tuesday.

Seychelles officials also noted that they want to import agricultural products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products. 

The High Commissioner and the president recalled the historical links between the two countries exemplified by exiling in Seychelles of Kabaka Mwanga and Omukama  Kabalega by the British colonial administrators between 1899 and 1903.

They agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries by concluding a General Cooperation Framework Agreement with special focus on education, health, tourism, and agribusiness, among others.  

Dr. Galiwango is the first High Commissioner of Uganda to present letters of credence to the President of Seychelles, which is a precursor for closer and deeper cooperation between the two countries.

Seychelles has a total GPD of USD 12.3 billion and GDP Per Capita of USD 11,425.1 (2020) which is the highest in Africa. However, the country is highly dependent on tourism and fisheries, and climate change poses long-term sustainability risks.