Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
UGANDAN President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to Africa’s founding fathers for the heroic roles they played in liberating the continent from colonial bondage and challenged today’s leaders to take advantage of the regional integration framework to pursue higher economic development gains.
He made the remarks following a learning visit by members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) who met him on Thursday at his country’s State House in Entebbe.
This comes as Zimbabwe prepares to host its Heroes and Defence Forces day commemorations today and tomorrow respectively. President Museveni said African leaders played a crucial role in contributing to the liberation of Africa as a whole and that their legacy must be cherished by all generations.
“Like other interactions with students and leaders of Africa, I took the opportunity this afternoon at State House Entebbe to remind a group from Zimbabwe Defence Forces of the historical missions of senior freedom fighters like Robert Mugabe, Kenneth Kaunda and Julius Nyerere,” he posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
“By and large, that generation delivered on the mission of an independent Africa. Now, we are handling the next steps on how to sustainably benefit from a politically independent yet culturally and strategically interconnected Africa.”
The late President Mugabe was renowned for his anti-imperialism stance, which gained more prominence when the country embarked on the Land Reform programme that provoked the imposition of sanctions against the country at the turn of the millennium.
He even called for a more independent African Union and leading by example, he donated 300 cattle to the continental body.
Tanzania won its independence in 1961 and late President Nyerere was inspirational in ensuring the liberation of countries such as Zambia (1964), Malawi (1964), Botswana (1966), Lesotho (1966), Mauritius (1968), Swaziland (1968) and Seychelles (1976) in a non-violent manner.
When peaceful means failed, Tanzania and other Frontline States provided political, material and moral support for the liberation of Mozambique and Angola in 1975, Zimbabwe in 1980, Namibia in 1990 and South Africa in 1994.
The late Cde Nyerere contributed to the establishment of the Organisation of African Union in 1963, which was later transformed into the African Union, with its major objectives being regional integration and continental development.
On the other hand, late Zambian President Kaunda is celebrated for being the founding President of Zambia, a pan-Africanist icon of Africa’s liberation who championed the cause of the freedom of Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa.
President Museveni said African states should leverage on regional integration while addressing problematic issues including corruption to advance the development of continental countries.
“I have shared Uganda’s experience and some methods that have helped us. I believe that if we act together as Africans and stop our own internal mistakes like corruption, our progress cannot be deterred,” said President Museveni. — @nqotshili
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