4 July 2009
Kampala — PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni on Friday arrived in Rwanda to join the nation in celebrating its 15th liberation anniversary.
Museveni, who travelled to Kigali by road with First Lady Janet, arrived at Gatuna border post at 3:40pm and was received by Rwanda's finance minister, James Musoni.
Others at the border to receive the Ugandan leader were Rwanda's Governor of the Northern Province, Bosenibamwe Aimé and the commander of the Northern Province, Maj. Gen. Alex Kagame. Museveni was briefly entertained by traditional dancers as he waved to the excited residents at the border. He then boarded his official car and in a long convoy, headed for Kigali.
Excited residents and businesspeople lined the streets of Kigali, clapped and cheered as the president's convoy sped to Serena Hotel. On arrival at the hotel, he was received by Rwanda's Chief of protocol, Rose Kabuye, Uganda's ministers Beatrice Wabudeya (Presidency), Nyombi Thembo (Luweero Triangle) and MPs Wamakuyu Mudiimi and Peter Emigo.
On Friday night, Rwandan President Paul Kagame hosted Museveni and his delegation to a state banquet at Serena Hotel. On Saturday morning, Museveni attended the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) 15th anniversary celebrations at Amahoro Stadium, during which he was decorated with two medals. One medal is in honour of his contribution to the RPF struggle that liberated Rwanda, while the other is in recognition of his campaign against the 1994 genocide.
Other leaders expected were Ethiopia's Meles Zenawi and the widow of former Tanzania president Julius Nyerere.
Museveni, who was invited by Kagame, was last in Rwanda in June last year when he attended a business summit of the East African Community. "It's exciting to have him around," Musoni, Museveni's courtesy minister, told Sunday Vision.
"President Museveni is not just an invitee. He is also going to be honoured for his support in our struggle to liberate Rwanda and campaign against genocide," Musoni explained.
He said Museveni's arrival in Rwanda and participation in the day's festivities points at the "cordial and deep-rooted historical relations between Ugandans and Rwandans".
"We have been working closely for bilateral relations. They are now in good shape," Musoni elaborated.
Uganda's ambassador to Rwanda, Richard Kabonero, said: "It shows excellent and fraternal times and deep roots that bind our people. It's further testimony to the need for regional integration." The President's press secretary, Tamale Mirundi, said Museveni travelled with Thembo to witness how Rwanda has preserved its genocide monuments.
A number of Rwandan leaders, including Kagame, participated in the NRA guerilla war (1981-1986) in Luweero Triangle, led by Museveni, which liberated Uganda.
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