I hope Africa rises again to call of unity - Museveni

DIPLOMACY

President Yoweri Museveni has hit out at foreign interference, calling the idea of imposing sanctions on a country based on "perceived weakness of one leader" a "cowardly act".

"If one's methods are wrong, they will fail and be resisted by their own people, without foreign interference," he said during his two-day visit in Zimbabwe.

Museveni said that Africa is "stronger than it was in the 1960s" and that it is his hope as well as aspiration that the continent rises again to the call of unity.

"I do not support the concept of imposing sanctions on any country because of perceived weaknesses of one leader. In fact, it is a cowardly act that also counter-intuitively gives one an excuse for failing," he said.

President Museveni arrived in Harare Thursday evening, a few hours after setting off from Entebbe Airport for the working visit, and was warmly received by his counterpart, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

During his stay, Museveni officiated at the 60th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre on Friday.

There, he toured several stalls and exhibitions showcasing a wide range  of products made locally by Zimbabweans.

"This is what I have been advising my people back home [Ugandans], that we should invest our efforts in producing goods we spend money importing, if we are to build Uganda, " he said.

President Yoweri has been on a working trip to Zimbabwe

Museveni also awarded the best farmers at the exhibition and presented a trophy to Zimbabwe Police and Defence forces for their "excellent displays".

Earlier, he was hosted to a dinner by Mnangagwa and wife Mai Auxillia at State House in the captial Harare. "I opined that Uganda and Zimbabwe emphasise economic co-operation through market integration to enable our people stand on their own feet."

The two leaders toasted to continued relations, peace and prosperity of the people of Zimbabwe and Uganda.

One of the 10 strategic bottlenecks is market integration. Zimbabwe and Southern Africa at large have got a good potential to trade with East Africa and empower our people economically using the standard gauge railway as a stimulus. I proposed that a joint commission be established with the task of promoting economic cooperation between Zimbabwe and Uganda. Africa is stronger than it was in the 1960s, only that we still export money and jobs through selling raw materials in agriculture, minerals, this should not be the case. so we should rally each other for co-operation against this imbalance," tweeted Museveni.

Meanwhile, the annual expo got underway in Zimbabwe's second-largest city, which is a gateway to Matobo National Park, home to the Matobo Hills rock formations and Stone Age cave art.

The five-day fair, which acts as a trade hub for the region, started on Tuesday and will run until Saturday. It is understood that the latest edition's focus is on reenergized business and achieving rapid and inclusive industrialisation.

More than 500 exhibitors are showcasing and 16 countries are participating at the fair, which attracts both trade and public visitors.