Uganda has made economic progress over the years both as a country and as a core believer in the region’s integration process, especially as its ties with Rwanda gets ever stronger, Amb. Richard Kabonero has said. The Ugandan High Commissioner to Rwanda was on Wednesday evening hosting his compatriots working and living in the country as well as well-wishers at his residence in Nyarutarama, Kigali, to celebrate Uganda’s 51st Independence anniversary."We have been growing despite some shocks and challenges. We have made tremendous investments in infrastructure and energy. At regional level, Uganda has played a big role in promoting peace in the region, including hosting nine summits that seek peace in the DR Congo,” Amb. Kabonero said.He said bilateral ties between Uganda and Rwanda will always remain strong through collaboration on several development projects."In 2018, a number of you here will board a train from Kigali and arrive in Mombasa (Kenya) through Uganda. You will also be able to get oil through a pipeline from Mombasa or Hoima, or South Sudan in the same year. In January, next year, visitors to any country in EAC will be able to get a single tourist visa,” Amb. Kabonero added.Mary Baine, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, congratulated Ugandans upon their independence celebrations and reiterated Rwanda’s commitment to mutual cooperation."We feel strongly about our good relationship with Uganda and we shall continue toward making our relationship even stronger,” Baine said.