Uganda’s Museveni on two-day visit to Zimbabwe

Kampala, Uganda (PANA) – Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni on Thursday embarked on his first visit to Zimbabwe since the ouster of Robert Mugabe as president of Zimbabwe in late 2017.

Museveni and Mugabe had struck a great friendship, with Mugabe assured of roaring welcome whenever he visited Uganda, especially during Museveni’s swearing-in ceremonies every five years.

The two men were among the longest serving leaders, with Mugabe having taken power after the independence of Zimbabwe in 1980 while Museveni took power in Uganda after an armed rebellion in 1986.  

“I leave for a two days' working visit to Zimbabwe on the invitation of H.E. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. While there, I will officiate at the 60th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo on Friday,” Museveni announced on his twitter handle on Thursday.

Mnangagwa, who was Mugabe’s vice president, had fallen out with his boss and had fled the country by the time of Mugabe’s ouster by the army, but soon returned to the country to seize the reins of power as the country’s constitution dictated. He would later win a disputed election in August 2018.

Museveni has been outspoken against military coups and was part of the effort by the African Union that pushed for the Zimbabwean army to organise a quick return to civilian rule shortly after Mugabe was overthrown.

There is no information on whether, while in Zimbabawe, Museveni will visit his former ally Mugabe.

-0- PANA EM/VAO 25April2019