President Yoweri Museveni has told the people of Uganda that the National Resistance Movement Government has covered a long distance in efforts geared to the revamping of national development though a lot still remains to be done.
“Unlike during the past regimes, as I speak today, we do not have citizens in exile. Anybody in opposition or against the government is here in the country, which was not the case during the past regimes. We have a score of many achievement sand many are yet to be realised. The country has conducted several successful regular,free and fair national elections at an interval of five years. With this political track record of NRM, we have a good future of political leadership,” he said.
The President made the remarks at a Thanksgiving ceremony to mark the golden jubilee in marriage of Mr. Matthew and Mrs. Sheeba Rukikaire that took place yesterday at the couple’s residential home in Kizungu, Makindye Division in Kampala District.
The occasion also marked Mr. Matthew Rukikaire’s 80th birthday anniversary.
Former Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Edward Muhima, led the thanksgiving service.
President Museveni, who was accompanied by the 1st Lady, Hon. Janet Museveni, commended the family of Mr. and Mrs. Rukikaire, for the contribution to the political stability of a new Uganda.
“This family has made a commendable and good contribution to the government towards the struggle for the re-birth of political stability of a new Uganda. My coming here, therefore, is to acknowledge the crucial contributions at a crucial time of the Rukikaires’ to this country in which I, personally, have been involved for the last fifty years struggling for political unity,” the President said.
Mr.Museveni told the gathering that one of the causes of the bush war was the problem of deliberate recruitment in the Army on sectarian lines and extra-judicial killings of innocent Ugandans.
Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda commended Mr. Matthew Rukikaire for his accommodative spirit that led to a coherent political group. He saluted the couple for inviting comrades for a reunion at their residence where the 27 historical men of the National Resistance Army (NRA) started their journey of the bush war.
The First Lady, Mrs. Janet Museveni, reminded the gathering to thank God for the achievements the country has realized. She also asked the Rukikaire family to thank God for the gift of their lives and faithfulness both in happy and difficulty times during the 50 years in marriage.
Mr.Rukikaire thanked President Museveni for honouring the family invitation. He said that he was happy with the contributions that he made towards Uganda’s national development.
“For national development, we fought against sectarianism of the past governments to plan for the future of this country. I am happy to be part and parcel of this system to bring sanity in the country,” he reiterated.
He added that apart from having a relationship with the creator and family members, the greatest relationship is with people in society.
Mrs.Sheba Rukikaire, on her part, thanked God for the gift of life and described the journey of 50 years in marriage as a commitment, responsibility, endurance and investment with patience.