Kampala — It is unlikely that the two will send each other Easter greetings cards. But at least they will not resurrect the hostility that existed between their fathers, and eventually plunged two countries into a bloody war where thousands of lives perished. And that is what matters...

Two sons of the late presidents of Tanzania and Uganda, Jaffar Remo Amin (42) and Madaraka Nyerere (48) met in Butiama village, in Mara region of Tanzania, 30 years after their fathers fought a bitter war that ended in a humiliating defeat for one and a costly victory for the other.

Accompanied by his colleague and religious leaders, Jaffar laid a wreath on the grave of the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere shortly after arriving there. Jaffar then proceeded to the visitors' room where he signed the visitors' book. "I feel blessed to be here and that is what I have written in the visitors' book," Jaffar one of Idi Amin's over 40 children said.

The historical event in Butiama was aired live for several minutes on the London based BBC Outlook Progamme. Madaraka welcomed Jaffar's visit, saying the historical event would help to cement the relationship between the sister countries.

"This is also a morale boost of the intention of our countries to unite and become one. I believe if Mwalimu and Amin were alive, my father would have invited him (Amin) to Butiama after this event," Madaraka told a gathering that turned up to witness the event. Madaraka also thanked BBC for organising the event.

"This is a good idea because when it was initially reported that some people thought it would provoke tensions but it has not been the case," Madaraka said.

Speaking at the same occasion, Jaffar said Tanzania had set a good example on how true national unity could be achieved under the good leadership of the late Nyerere. "Nyerere is a hero of a united Tanzania. He has shown the world the real meaning of what a union ought to be," Jaffar said. Jaffar also handed over a mat as a gift to Mama Maria Nyerere. Musoma District Executive Director (DED) Dr. Karaine Kuney also lauded the event. "Let us forget the past and the effects of the Kagera war and focus on development issues," the DED said. BBC Swahili Service spearheaded the project to reconcile the two families.

Tanzania’s late President Julius Nyerere’s son Madaraka Nyerere recalls his encounter with Idi Amin

I first met the Ugandan leader in very bizarre circumstances. Back in 1972 just after he had taken over power through a military coup, he landed unannounced in the Tanzanian lakeside town of Mwanza. He went straight to the state lodge where my father was meeting Zambia's former President Kenneth Kaunda. I'd been given a room at the state lodge in Mwanza. I had gone out in the morning and while away, Idi Amin was given the same room without my knowledge.

When I returned, I walked straight to my room, opened the door and who do I see? It was Idi Amin. He seemed busy working on something, which I couldn't quickly discern. So I greeted him in Kiswahili: "Shikamoo" (greeting for elders), and he responded: "Marahaba" (I am fine).

There was no more conversation. I left the room and that's the only time I ever came into close contact with him. Luckily he stayed in the room for only a few hours and left for Uganda. I never found out what my dad made of Idi Amin's sudden appearance at the meeting. Typical of dad, he never spoke about and it never seemed to bother him.

Come 1979, around lunchtime, together with my college mates, we tuned in to the radio to hear my father declaring war on Uganda. Most people who listened to that speech recall that they had never seen Mwalimu so angry. His tone of voice was rich with anger as he explained in a live broadcast reasons and the preparedness of attacking Uganda.

Peace-loving man

Amin's troops had launched several air raids on Tanzania, invaded it and occupied the northwestern region of Kagera.

Tanzania's army counter-attacked after Ugandan troops invaded. I had never heard or seen my father so angry because he wasn't the type of person who brought home his daily stresses as the president.

He made sure there was a clear and strict demarcation of his roles as president and head of the family. That seemed to dictate how we related with him, we would hardly ask him anything to do with work. Even at dinner time, he would talk about anything else but not his work.

He kept his family insulated from work-related issues. When the war broke out two of my brothers, Andrew and John, were in the air force. And even after the war ended, my other brother Makongoro couldn't resist the allure of joining the army. He spent nearly two years in Uganda doing military work.

When the BBC asked me whether I could meet Jaffar Amin, I wasn't sure. What convinced me is that both of our fathers are now dead. Also, my father was a peace-loving man. Even after the war, he would have agreed to meet Idi Amin and even invited him to his home Butiama. Whatever bitterness there was in the past, all we can do now is to learn the lessons and open a new chapter for the future.