North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un (Photo: BBC).

North Korea is to close its embassy in Uganda, ending half a century of diplomatic presence in one of its longest-standing African allies.

The move was announced on Monday, after a meeting between Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and North Korean Ambassador Jong Tong Hak.

A statement from the Ugandan presidency, shared with the press agency AFP, said: “Ambassador Jong informed the president that North Korea has taken a strategic measure to reduce the number of embassies in Africa, Uganda inclusive, in order to increase the efficiency of the country’s external institutions.”

“Our good friendship will continue and will be further strengthened and developed,” Mr Jong was quoted as saying.

North Korea forged links with Uganda shortly after the latter’s independence from Britain in 1962. Pyongyang supported Idi Amin when he seized power in 1971, providing his forces with training and weapons.

North Korea opened the embassy in Kampala a year later.

President Museveni has made several visits to North Korea, where he met the late leader Kim Jong Il, father of current leader Kim Jong Un.