Uganda is among the first countries that Barack Obama will visit this month when he starts his first tour of Africa as US president. Obama was expected in London yesterday for the G-20 summit of the world’s wealthiest nations. He commences the Africa tour on April 21, the White House said in a statement.
The five-nation tour will take Obama first to his motherland Kenya. Obama, the first African-American president, was fathered by a Kenyan and mothered by an American. His father Hussein Obama was born in Kogelo, Kenya. “He chose to visit Kenya first because he drew inspiration from the country of his fore-fathers before the embarked on his presidential campaign.
It is only logical that he pays homage to his ancestry,” according to the brief statement issued late last evening. Obama will also visit Rwanda, Swaziland and South Africa.
The White House added that Obama received overwhelming support from Ugandans both here and abroad during his historic campaign to become the world’s most powerful man. While in Uganda, Obama is expected to discuss with President Yoweri Museveni continued funding for HIV/AIDS, value-addition to raw materials and energy development.
Obama’s predecessor George W. Bush poured millions of dollars in grants to fight the pandemics. However, it was not clear whether the two leaders will also hold talks on the Africa Growth Opportunities Act, which allows African nations access to the US market.
The act would make it possible for Uganda to export her Tooke biscuits. The President’s press secretary, Tamale Mirundi, could not be reached for comment. In Rwanda, Obama is expected to make a statement on the 1994 genocide in which about a million Tutsi were slaughtered during the 1994 genocide. The Kigali regime has often accused the West of keeping silent while the bloodshed went on. The charismatic leader will also discuss trade and investment with President Paul Kagame.
Obama, observers say, picked on South Africa as one of the countries to visit because of its semi-super power status on the continent. Democratic South Africa is also seen as a key ally to influence the state of things in anarchic Zimbabwe were economic and post-election violence has left thousands jobless and hundreds fleeing into exile. Have a great April 1 Fools Day.
