President Yoweri Museveni has emphasized the need for a united Uganda in particular and Africa in general to achieve prosperity of the people in the region.
“My prosperity comes from others. If I say my tribe, my tribe, it doesn’t make sense,” he said.
The President was speaking during a meeting with the visiting Ethiopian Public Diplomacy Team, led by the Speaker of the House of the People’s Representative, Hon. Tagesse Chafo, who called on him today at State House, Nakasero. The 60-man delegation that includes the business community, diplomats and cultural leaders is on a 5-day visit.
President Museveni told the Ethiopian delegation that the reason Uganda was able to recover from the past turmoil stemmed from the NRM Government’s emphasis on interests for prosperity as opposed to identity of tribe and religion, which he noted, does not benefit the people of Uganda.
“Our leaders failed to answer where the prosperity of society comes from and spent a lot of time on identity. That was a big mistake,” he said.
Mr. Museveni informed his guests that the NRM Government has been able to address most of the past mistakes and is now tackling infrastructure challenges such as railways and roads with a view of providing cheap means of transport for business in the country.
He warmly welcomed the visiting team to Uganda adding that what is needed in the region is trade relations. He stressed that the Horn of Africa needs unity and togetherness for the benefit of the whole of Africa.
The Ethiopian Speaker, Hon. Tagesse Chafo, saluted President Museveni for the opportunity of meeting him and also for his wise leadership. He said that his delegation is in Uganda to study the political system and how the country has been able to maintain peace and prosperity.
Deputy Parliamentary Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah and the Ethiopian Ambassador to Uganda, Ms. Alemtsehay Meseret Gelaw, among others, attended the meeting.