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Munyaradzi Huni in Kampala, Uganda
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe arrived here yesterday to witness the swearing-in ceremony of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The President, who is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, will join other Heads of State and Government at the ceremony set to be held today at the Kololo Airstrip Ceremonial Ground.
Soon after arrival, President Mugabe went into a briefing with top Ugandan officials before he was escorted to his hotel. President Museveni won the February 18, 2016 elections by 60 percent while his main challenger Kizza Besigye garnered 35 percent.
According to Uganda’s Minister in Charge of the Presidency, Frank Tumwebaze, there are 13 Heads of State and Government from South Africa, the Kingdom of Lesotho, South Sudan, Tanzania, Mali, Togo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Swaziland, China, Nigeria, and Russian Federation expected to attend the ceremony.
“Two former presidents Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania and Mwai Kibaki of Kenya are also expected,” Tumwebaze said. Countries that will send representatives are Rwanda, India, Japan, Germany and other guests from East African Community according to Tumwebaze.
Zimbabwe and Uganda enjoy cordial relations as President Museveni has come out openly supporting the country’s land reform programme and castigating Western governments for ostracising and demonising President Mugabe.
Uganda was granted independence by Britain in 1962.
President Museveni came into power in 1986 through his National Resistance Movement.
When he took over power, Museveni appointed a government from across ethnic lines, re-established the rule of law and set up a Human Rights Commission.
Foreign investment and tourism were encouraged by this move and Uganda’s economy began to grow.
President Museveni won a presidential election in 1996 and again in 2001.
In 2006, full democracy returned with multi-party elections and Museveni remained president by popular vote.
In February 2011, he again won elections in that country.
Meanwhile, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is Acting President.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo