President Yoweri Museveni has Thursday April 25, left for Zimbambwe’s capital Harare for a two-day official visit.
According to statehouse, Mr. Museveni was invited by Mr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Mr. Museveni will officiate the much publicized Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) opening Friday in Bulawayo.
However, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has protested the invitation of president Museveni over what they have called terrorising of Ugandans.
Addressing the media Wednesday at his party’s headquarters, MDC leader Nelson Chamisa slammed Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa for inviting Museveni to officially open this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo on Friday.
“I don’t know why Mnangagwa chose Museveni to be in trade with him. We don’t know perhaps it’s a way of confirming that he belongs to a club of dictators because Museveni’s behaviour in his own country leaves a lot to be desired,” said Chamisa.
Museveni, Uganda’s sole ruler since 1986, has been accused of rights abuses in his bid to maintain control of the East African country.
Lately, his rule has come under fire for arresting musician cum politician Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine after blocking his concerts.
Because of that, Chamisa felt the Ugandan strongman’s invitation to Zimbabwe was in bad taste.
“The choice of friends defines the man’s character and we are worried that Mnangagwa invited Museveni at a time when he is terrorising his own opposition.
“Bobi Wine, my dear friend, is being terrorised. I’m told that he has been arrested. He has been arrested several times. That kind behaviour is not acceptable on the African continent.
“We don’t take it lightly whenever dictators come in cahoots or in unison. We have an obligation to fight them.
“We don’t take it lightly Museveni coming to our country to just come and grace the trade fair with yet another trade of dictatorship, with yet another trade union of people who oppress their own citizens, an alternative voice of on the continent of Africa.
“…Why should he invite questionable credentials unless you are confirming that you are just calling the boys from the same hood to try and send a particular message on the continent.”
AFP
