Mugabe steals show at State dinner

Fifteen African leaders dined with President Yoweri Museveni at a State dinner he hosted for heads of State and government representatives who are in Uganda for the swearing-in ceremony.

Ofwono Opondo, the executive director of Uganda Media Centre, told New Vision that 15 leaders attended at the dinner held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala on a glitzy and glamorous Wednesday evening.

The heads of state included: Jacob Zuma (South Africa), Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe), Idriss Deby (Chad), Edgar Lungu (Zambia), John Magufuli (Tanzania), Mohamadou Issoufou (Niger) and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea).

The beaming Museveni, who arrived at about 9:34pm, received a standing ovation when he walked into the fully-packed conference centre. He occasionally waved to the cheering invitees as he walked majestically towards the principal table.

Dr Bishop Joshua Lwere, the senior pastor of Grace Assembly Church, the opening prayer and prayed for peace in the country.

But when Mugabe, 92, walked in so gently a few minutes after the opening prayer, every one sprung to their feet and cheered.

Museveni thanked his counterparts for "showing solidarity with us on this special occasion."

"Uganda is very much honoured by this fraternal solidarity," he said before raising his glass in a toast.

The dinner was also attended by Uganda People's Congress president Jimmy Akena and his mother Miria Obote.