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News Release |
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President Museveni swearing in speech
2006-05-12 Your Excellencies the Members of the East African Summit;
Your Excellencies Members of the African Union Summit;
Your Excellency, the Vice President of Uganda;
Right Honourable Speaker;
Honourable Chief Justice;
Rt. Honourable Prime Minister;
Rt. Honourable Vice Chairman of the National Resistance Movement;
Your Excellency, Secretary-General of East African Community;
Your Excellency, Secretary General of IGAD;
Your Excellencies, leaders of friendly delegations from outside Africa;
Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corp;
Their Highnesses the Traditional Leaders;
Service Chiefs of the UPDF;
Inspector-General of Police;
All State and Movement Leaders;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Greetings to all.
On behalf of the People of Uganda, I welcome their Excellencies, President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, who are my colleagues in the East African Summit of Heads of State to this function. I also welcome Their Excellencies: Robert Mugabe, of the Republic of Zimbabwe; Thabo Mbeki of the South African Republic; Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia; Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda; Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique; Abdullahi Yusuf of Somalia; Ismaili Omar Guelleh of Djibouti; Mohammed Abdeleziz of Saharawi; Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi who are members of the African Union (AU) Heads of State Summit for coming to this occasion. I welcome H.E. Salva Kiir, the First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Mvouba Isidore of DRC. I welcome all the delegation leaders from the AU Countries as well as delegations from abroad. Thank you for coming to express solidarity with us.
Today is an occasion of some unique importance for Uganda. Eversince 1986, when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ended decades of State-inspired extra-judicial killings that accounted for the death of 800,000 Ugandans between 1966 and 1986, we introduced popular democracy based on a no-party model. In order to defeat the almost one century old sectarianism that had been fomented among our people and had been partially responsible for the upheavals that gripped Uganda, we avoided the immediate re-introduction of multi-party democracy. This model was not well understood abroad although it healed our People from sectarianism based on religious sects and tribes. We ignored the pressures from outside until we were convinced that the mindset of People had changed.
Last year, following an extensive Constitutional review, the People of Uganda, after a Referendum, decided to, at last, go for multi-party democracy. All restrictions on the old political parties were removed and new ones were formed. On the 23rd of February, 2006, we held Presidential and Parliamentary elections based on multi-partyism. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) political organization emerged winner in the first round for both President and Parliament.
I thank the People of Uganda for, again, putting trust in me and the NRM. We led you through decades of struggle against the killers and we have led you through the phase of reconstruction and resistance against externally-supported terrorism. In spite of these trials and tribulations, the NRM has time and again led you to victory, reconstruction and quite an enviable rate of economic growth.
By 1986, the economy of Uganda had totally collapsed. For instance, between 1983 and 1985, the economy further declined at a rate of minus 3.9 percent per annum. The inflation rate in Financial Year 1985/86 was 240 percent per annum but in the Financial Year 2005/2006, the average inflation rate is 6.7 percent per annum. Since 1986, the size of the economy has more than tripled to about US$ 10 billion, growing at an average rate of 6.3 percent per annum. The proportion of the people living under poverty has shrunk from 56 percent to 38 percent. Primary School enrolment has climbed from 2.5 Million to 7.6 Million students. The student population in secondary schools has jumped from 122,868 in 1986 to 855,346 in 2005. University enrolment has grown from 6,579 to 57,000 students today. We had one State University in 1986. We now have a total of 18 Universities (including private ones).
As a consequence, the structure of the economy is slowly changing. In 1986 the share of industry in total GDP output was 11 percent. It is now 20 percent.
The economic performance and the resultant social changes could have been much better if it was not for four factors: externally orchestrated terrorism in Northern Uganda, under spending on defence, corruption and slowness in decision-making in the public service and policy-mistakes caused by a combination of political paralysis within the NRM system as well as external, misguided meddling.
A combination of such policy mistakes and drought has, in the last one year, caused a severe electricity shortage causing the decline in our projected rate of GDP growth from 6.5 percent to 4.9 percent. Our plan to build two new dams for hydro-power generation on the River Nile was disrupted by external meddling. We were told that Uganda was in “new danger” – “the danger of having too much electricity”!! This is outrageous and unacceptable. Ugandans have seen for themselves what we, the leaders, have always told them. Surrendering of sovereignty on decision-making is a very big mistake.
I want to assure Ugandans that such mistakes will never occur again under the leadership of the NRM. We are going to build two new dams in the next 42 months with or without the participation of outsiders in financing. Any external involvement will be strictly according to our time-table. As soon as the new Government is formed, we shall sit down and prioritize expenditure in such a manner that solving the energy crisis is a priority. There are other sites on the River Nile on which we, in the medium-term, plan to build two new dams. There is Ayago North and Ayago South, for instance. As we complete plans for the construction of Bujagali and Karuma, that will be the next project. We have rejected the policy of chasing the rise in demand for electricity. We shall, henceforth, anticipate the demand.
In the meantime, we are promoting the use of solar energy, energy saving bulbs and modernizing the transmission lines to stop electricity losses.
All the same, to talk of a GDP size of US$ 10 billion for a country like Uganda with a size of United Kingdom (U.K.) and a population of 28 million, is still a joke. In the next five years, now that the negative consequences of surrendering sovereignty in decision-making is apparent to all Ugandans, it will be much easier to move faster so that we aim at completely transforming our society from a Third World one to a First World one, in the medium-term, to use the words of Lee Kuan Yew, the former Prime Minister of Singapore. Among the aims stated in our National Resistance Movement Manifesto, some of the most prominent ones will be the following:
1) All round value-addition to all our exports (cotton, coffee, timber, beef, milk, fruits, phosphates, iron ore etc.) It is commendable that good work has already been done on the side of fish with 19 factories on Lake Victoria while in 1986, there was not a single fish-processing plant anywhere in Uganda. The flowers’ firms have also mushroomed and those engaged in flower growing should be given maximum support.
2) Since we now have a very large educated workforce, our society will be helped to use the Information Communication Technology (ICT) to create call centres and access outsourcing jobs. It is most pleasing to note that by 1995 about 11,000 students would qualify for University entrance every year by getting 2 principal passes and a subsidiary. Last Academic Year, about 44,240 students qualified for University entrance. This increasingly large force needs not only academic qualifications, but qualifications in skills.
3) The other target, in the coming 5 years, easier to achieve in my opinion, is to liquidate the remaining agricultural subsistence in the rural areas. 67 percent of the homesteads, according to 2002 Census, still lived by agricultural subsistence (ie. producing for the stomach and not for cash). This sector needs to be commercialized. Modern needs go beyond food. The family needs money for decent clothing, health in some cases, improved houses, modern transport (motor-cycle, car), communication (mobile phone) etc. To have only food without these amenities is not enough. All the National Resistance Movement Members of Parliament now know that political survival at the polls will only come if the people in one’s constituency are earning money through the sale of their products. Given the land fragmentation of family holdings that has already taken place, there is, therefore, need to shift production to more high value products such as fish farming, fruit growing, honey, dairy farming, pharmaceutical herbs, etc. away from the colonial cash crops of tobacco, cotton, etc. or other low value crops such as maize. These should be left to plantation producers as well as large scale, medium scale farmers who can make money out of them relying on the economies of scale.
By solving the mistakes in the energy sector, adding value to our exports, liquidating subsistence farming and rationalizing production on the already fragmented farming landholdings, using the internet to access jobs abroad, we shall take giant strides in the next 5 years.
There is one additional gold mine -- the innovations of our scientists. These need maximum support. They have been struggling on their own. The work of Dr. Muranga, for instance, of producing banana flour from bananas is, finally, getting some support. Encourage all others to continue. We shall come to their aid.
Uganda will develop faster as we intensify East African Integration. Therefore, the East African goal of creating an East African Federation is sweet music to the ears of the revolutionaries of Uganda. It will resolve the strategic and economic bottlenecks of not only East Africa but for the rest of Africa. A unified East Africa would be an important centre of gravity for the whole of Africa.
We shall continue to work with our partners in the region to consolidate the peace in the region. We welcome the peace in Southern Sudan. We salute the SPLA and the Sudan Government for co-operating with us in uprooting the terrorists of Joseph Kony from Southern Sudan and Northern Uganda. We hope the government of Congo, the SPLA, the Sudan Government, the UN forces in Congo and Sudan will work with us to capture the remnants now hiding in the Garamba National Park in the extreme North East of Congo. The Congo Government and the U.N. must also resolve the issue of Eastern Congo being a safe haven for terrorists and negative forces from the Great Lakes’ region. We are ready and able to help in that task. The AU Peace and Security Council should handle this matter. Some of these issues are not as difficult to resolve as they appear. The region, working with Barundi Political Parties, successfully resolved the issue of Burundi that had been paraded around as unsolvable. IGAD contributed decisively to the solution of the problem of Southern Sudan. The region had, earlier on, singly solved the problem of Amin and stopped, working with RPF, the genocide in Rwanda. The problem of minority governments in Southern Africa was, primarily, solved by the freedom fighters from those countries, the frontline states, the Socialist Countries and other peace-loving Countries and forces in the World at that time. Similarly, the problems of Eastern Congo, Darfur and Somalia can be solved, primarily, by the respective African regional organizations and the citizens of those countries.
Now that Uganda is a fully-fledged multi-party democracy, I encourage the opposition parties to play a constructive role. Political actors need to be the political, economic, social and moral “doctors” of a society. In order to be a useful doctor and treat sicknesses, you must, first and foremost, diagnose the sicknesses and, then, prescribe the correct medicine. Political parties, to be useful to Africa, need to expend more effort and energy in analysis rather than propaganda and obscurantism.
Again, I thank the Brother Leaders from Africa who have come to join us on this happy occasion. This big turn-up of leaders is a good message for the World. Africa has stood up, never to go down again.
Happy next five years to all Ugandans.
I thank you. ..End. |
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President Meets IMF Delegation
2007-09-25
President Yoweri Museveni has said that the Ugandan economy has continued to grow at a rate of 6.5% per annum despite the problem of electricity shortage. The President said this during a meeting with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who called on him at State House, Nakasero. The delegation was led by the IMF Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Takatoshi Kato. Mr. Museveni told his visitors that the country now needs modern infrastructure, especially railway transport and roads, to enhance competitiveness in trade. He said the government of Uganda is now in the process of laying strategies to generate power on anticipation unlike in the past when electricity was generated on demand. The President regretted to note that floods have caused devastating effects in Eastern and Northern Uganda. He, however, noted that the rains have boosted water levels in the country.
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President Addresses Inter-University Guild Council
2007-09-24
President Yoweri Museveni has said that Makerere University Business School (MUBS) is under Makerere University and the current wrangles, therefore, are not called for as this was the decision of government right from the inception of Nakawa-based MUBS. The President, who was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Janet Museveni, made the clarification while addressing the Inter-University Students’ Guild Council seminar at the Uganda Manufacturers’ Association (UMA) hall, Lugogo in Kampala. The seminar ran under the theme “Role of the Youth in Social, Political and Economic Transformation of the Country”.
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President Attends 12th Empango
2007-09-23
The Kingdom of Tooro marked the 12th coronation (empango) anniversary of the Omukama of Tooro Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi the 4th at the Karuziika (place) in Fort Portal. The annual event is dedicated to celebrating the kingdom’s continuity and peace. President Yoweri Museveni was the chief guest during the celebrations. He warned against mixing politics with the affairs of the kingdom. He said politicians are always being attacked and added that he would not like to see this happening to traditional institutions ..more
“Education For All is For Development” – Museveni
2007-09-20
President Yoweri Museveni has said the government the Education for All programme that has been instituted by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is aimed at promoting and ensuring development for wananchi in Uganda. The President was speaking in a meeting at State House, Nakasero with a visiting delegation of the Commonwealth Secretariat Team of Experts. The delegation was led by the Speaker Emeritus of the Tanzanian National Assembly Rt. Hon. Pius Musekwa. ..more
President Assures On Quality Cotton Products’ Market
2007-09-20
President Yoweri Museveni has said that Uganda has a high potential of producing and processing organic cotton into high quality clothes for export market. The President revealed this at State House, Nakasero during a meeting with a delegation of entrepreneurs from South African based Cool Ideas Company. The delegation was led by Cool Ideas Director Ms. Belinda Edmonds. Mr. Museveni said that Uganda is capable of providing immense opportunities in various fields of production including the beef sector.
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President Receives Assistant Chinese Minister
2007-09-18
President Yoweri Museveni has stressed the need to strengthen further the economic co-operation between the People’s Republic of China and Uganda especially in the agro-processing, textile production, fish processing and information technology sectors The President was speaking during a meeting he held with the visiting Chinese Assistant Minister of Commerce Mr. Fu Ziying. The meeting took place at the President’s Kisozi farm in Mpigi district. Mr. Museveni, who hailed the ever growing excellent bilateral relationship between Uganda and China, said that the country commands a very big agricultural potential and a vast natural resource base. ..more
President Meets Gomba County Leaders
2007-09-15
President Yoweri Museveni has called on Members of Parliament throughout the country to spearhead the campaign against poverty by actively participating in training wananchi using materials from the National Agricultural and Development Services (NAADS) and local extension workers. The President was addressing political and religious leaders from Gomba County in Mpigi district who called on him at his Kisozi farm. Mr. Museveni observed that in the past, a lot of money from NAADS had been spent on training farmers. He, however, stressed that the strategy should change to using the funds for purchasing items like suckers, seeds or fertilizers to empower people to start serious production programmes.
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No Delays On Supply Of Electricity” - Museveni
2007-09-13
President Yoweri Museveni has said that government will not accept any delays in the provision of electricity to the national grid. The President was speaking during a meeting with the visiting World Bank Country Director, Mr. John Murray McIntire at State House, Nakasero. He said work must start on the Karuma power station soon and remain ahead of the national electricity demand. Mr. Museveni also emphasized that Uganda must have a modern railway network to the sea adding that “without fast transport, export costs would remain high”. He emphasized that the World Bank in collaboration with the government of Uganda should concentrate on the construction of durable roads in the country.
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President Fundraises For St. Jude Catholic Church, Bukoto Masaka
2007-09-11
Over Shs.34 million was realized in a fundraising drive held to raise money for the roofing of St. Jude Bukoto Catholic Church in Kabonera sub-county, Masaka district.
President Yoweri Museveni who was the chief guest at the ceremony donated Shs.10 million. The area MP who is also the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Edward Sekandi, the deputy Speaker, the Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadago together with other members of parliament present contributed over six million shillings.
Items mobilized for auctioning by the lay people from the parish together with friends from beyond the parish included 7 cows, 45 goats, 125 chickens, a variety of food stuffs as well as a presidential portrait and Virgin Mary’s picture. ..more
Uganda And DRC Sign Joint Bilateral Agreement
2007-09-09
President Yoweri Museveni and President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, last night signed a joint bilateral co-operation agreement aimed at establishing peace and security in both countries and normalizing their relations and strengthening their co-operation. The historic Ngorodoto Agreement was reached after a 2-day special summit convened by the Tanzanian leader President Jakaya Kikwete at Ngorodoto Mountain and Country Club in Arusha. Mr. Kikwete also witnessed the signing of the documents. The landmark agreement covered areas of defence and security, economic co-operation as well as political and diplomatic co-operation. ..more
Uganda & DRC Begin Summit In Arusha
2007-09-08
A special summit on Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) opened in Arusha, Northern Tanzania attended by President Yoweri Museveni and his DRC counterpart President Joseph Kabila.The summit is under the chairmanship of host President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania. The summit, held after the 2 heads of state requested President Kikwete to host it, is discussing outstanding issues between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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President Leaves For Arusha Tanzania
2007-09-07
President Yoweri Museveni is in the Northern Tanzania town of Arusha on a 2-day working visit during which he will attend a special summit between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The President was received at Kilimanjaro International Airport by the Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Bernard Membe, Uganda Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sam Kutesa and Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania Mr. Ibrahim Mukiibi.
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President Urges DRC Not To Harbour Terrorists
2007-09-05
President Yoweri Museveni has urged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) not to accept being used as ground by groups that are hostile to neighbouring countries. The President made the call at State House, Nakasero during a meeting with a visiting American government delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Ms Jendayi Frazer. Mr. Museveni urged the DRC to apprehend the Lord’s Resistance Army on its territory to ensure that the group goes to the assembly areas in order to further facilitate the ongoing peace process that is taking place in Juba, Southern Sudan. The President was optimistic that the peace process between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army would succeed. ..more
“Government To Give Free Legal Services” – Museveni
2007-09-05
President Yoweri Museveni has said that government will avail free legal services to victims of land evictions in order to curb that hideous practice which has rendered many people landless. The President, who is continuing his tour of Luweero Triangle Bonna Bagaggawale sensitization programme, was addressing the people of Kiryabyoya village, Nakitoma Sub-County in Nakasongola district. He also noted that tenants have been evicted from their land by unscrupulous landowners due to ignorance on the part of the tenants. Mr. Museveni clarified that the law stipulates that a tenant who occupied land 12 years before the promulgation of the 1995 constitution, cannot be evicted. ..more
“Zirobwe- Wobulenzi Road To Be Repaired” – Museveni
2007-09-04
President Yoweri Museveni has assured the people of Uganda that government will continue to channel funds to the grass-root level in the country through the Local Government Development Programme LGDP), the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), the Micro-Finance scheme, among others, to assist people increase household income. The President was speaking at two separate rallies held at Kamira Primary School in Kamira Sub-County and at Kiziba Primary School in Kikyusa Sub-county of Bamunanika County in Luweero district. ..more
“Govt. To Follow Up On NAADS Funds” – Museveni
2007-09-01
President Yoweri Museveni has said that government is going to make a follow up of the funds released to sub-counties under the National Agricultural and Advisory Services (NAADS) as a way of ascertaining its proper use. “More money has been sent through NAADS. Government will make a follow up to see that the people trained and facilitated by NAADS put the money to proper use”, said the President to the people of Nakaseke. The President was meeting wananchi of Kirema, Kabugwe and Mijenje villages of Semuto Sub-County in Nakaseke district. Mr. Museveni is currently on a tour of Luweero Triangle to sensitize people on Bonna Bagaggawale programme. ..more
President Tours Wakiso District
2007-08-29
President Yoweri Museveni has said that the rate of growth that Uganda has achieved is a result of the continued support to the NRM government that the people of Luweero Triangle enkindled right from the time of the protracted armed people’s struggle over 20 years ago. The President was addressing people of Kira Town Council, Jjanda village and Nansana-Bujuuko in Wakiso district. Mr. Museveni is on a tour of the district specifically to sensitize the people on the “Bonna Bagaggawale” (Prosperity for All) programme. He gave Shs.10 million each to the people of Jjanda and Nansana – Bujuuko areas to help them start income generating activities. ..more
“UPDF to Help Establish Somali State pillars” – Museveni
2007-08-29
President Yoweri Museveni has said that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF’s) role in Somalia is to help the Somali people restore that country’s State pillars. The President disclosed this during a meeting at State House, Nakasero, with American Senator Ross Feingold who has been in Uganda on a 3-day visit. During his stay in the country, Senator traveled to Gulu district to personally assess the humanitarian situation in Northern Uganda and was able to visit Internally Displaced People Camps (IDPCs) in the area and was impressed by the Government’s intervention measures to assist the people there to resettle.
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President Calls For Agro-Based Industries
2007-08-29
President Yoweri Museveni has called for the establishment of more agro-based processing industries in Uganda. The President made the remark at State House, Nakasero in a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of a Danish company, Apmoeller/Maersk Group, which specializes in the shipping business.
Mr. Museveni urged the group to attract more investors to Uganda to process the abundant agricultural produce, like fruits and foods, into value added products for domestic, regional and international markets. He said that increased volume of processed products would go a long way in reducing the cost of transport to Mombasa Port.
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“Conservation Is A Must” – Museveni
2007-08-27
President Yoweri Museveni has reiterated that sustainable conservation of the fauna and flora of Uganda can only be achieved after the crucial issues of electrification and industrialization have been permanently addressed. The President was closing a 4-day Leadership for Conservation Africa (LCA) Council meeting at Paraa Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls National Park, in newly established Amuru district. The 2nd council meeting that attracted participants from over 15 countries in Africa as well as outside the continent, aimed at bringing together the business community and conservationists to ensure that the environment is conserved in a sustainable way for future generations. ..more
President Meets Austrian Delegation
2007-08-25
President Yoweri Museveni has met a delegation from the Province of Carintia in Austria at State House, Nakasero. The delegation was led by Ms. Olivia Mugabe, a programmes’ director of A – Z Austria – Uganda, based in Austria. The NGO, which trains people in Luweero in income generating activities, is supported by the government of Austria. Among the delegation were Mr. Quendher Peter, Hebein Peter and Runpold Achill from the government of Austria, Carinthia Province, among others, and the representative of the Minister of Agriculture from Carinthia Mr. Martin Joseph. ..more
President Receives DRC Delegation
2007-08-25
President Yoweri Museveni received a delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who called on him at State House, Nakasero. The delegation was led by the DRC Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Mbusa Nyamisi. The President and his visitors discussed matters related to peace and security in both countries. On the issue of petroleum in both countries, President Museveni told the delegation that Uganda has now trained people in that field who have the experience which the government of DRC can share in order not to be cheated by foreign companies during time of exploration.
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No LRA presence in CAR – Bozize
2007-08-23
President Francois Bozize of the Central African Republic has denied any presence of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in his country and added that his government investigated the allegations by media reports and found no truth in them. President Bozize was responding to questions from the press at a joint press conference he held with his host President Yoweri Museveni at State House, Nakasero. Mr. Bozize also informed journalists that his country is currently engaged in resolving internal challenges that might not allow her to send troops to the troubled Darfur region in the Sudan. ..more
President Bozize Lectures Kimaka Army College
2007-08-22
The visiting Central African Republic President Mr. Francois Bozize has underscored the important role played by the army in the maintenance of peace and stability in African nations geared towards development. General Bozize, who was accompanied by his host President Yoweri Museveni, was the guest speaker at the Senior Command and Staff College, Kimaka in Jinja. General Bozize said that for Africa to realize development and her dream of a United States of Africa, the army was very crucial in the process because it is the vanguard of peace and stability that is required to achieve that goal. ..more
President Bozize Arrives In Uganda
2007-08-22
President Francois Bozize of the Central African Republic has started a 2-day state visit to Uganda. President Bozize, who is accompanied by his wife Mrs. Monique Bozize, was received on arrival at Entebbe International Airport this morning by his host President Yoweri Museveni. Others at the airport to receive President Bozize included Minister for Presidency Mrs. Beatrice Wabudeya, that of Security Mr. Amama Mbabazi, of Education and Sports Mrs. Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire and of State for International Affairs Mr. Okello Oryem.
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