Museveni hails Zambia's leaders over freedom

Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and President Museveni held talks at State House. PPU Photo

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has saluted the former President of the Republic of Zambia Dr. Kenneth Kaunda for spearheading the struggle to fight for the liberation and independence of the Africa block alongside other past leaders in Tanzania, South Africa and Mozambique.

Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, now aged 92 years is the founding father and the first President of the Republic of Zambia who fought for the country to attain its independence in 1964.

Museveni was on Sunday evening speaking to the local media in Lusaka, Zambia before he was hosted by the sitting President of the Republic of Zambia Edgar Chagwa Lungu to a state dinner. The two leaders later held bilateral talks at State House in Lusaka.

"I congratulate President Edgar Lungu for winning the election. I salute the people of Zambia. I salute Kenneth Kaunda. For us, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda is hero in Uganda. He fought for African freedom. You people should know that the prevailing freedom you have is as a result of the fight and struggle by the past African leaders like Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda etc and what the apartheid fighters in South Africa went through," Museveni said.

Museveni is in the Zambian capital Lusaka on a two-day state visit during which he will also be the chief guest at Zambia's 52nd, Independence anniversary celebrations taking place today at the Freedom Square.

He urged the Zambians to follow the example of the heritage of the past leaders like Kenneth Kaunda and the current ones like Edgar Lungu.

"Don't rubbish what was ahead of you. I am here to witness the past development in 1970s when you were two million people and today when the population Zambia stands at 15 million people with the existing general infrastructure and agricultural development that has turned the former vast open land into development" said Museveni.

He added that he was happy to be invited by President Lungu to witness the 52th independence anniversary celebrations, "I thank God for a long life; to see a young baby borne. I am happy to be at home", he said.

Museveni assured the Lungu that they will discuss more on economic and other bilateral issues between the two countries saying that Zambia has a big potential of land, a natural resource that is underexploited.

He urged the opposition leaders in the country to stop trouble and contribute towards the development of the country.

"To disturb means to cause ruin. If you are not in politics, you can be in agriculture. Politics is not the end of the world" Museveni said.

While speaking at dinner, the people of Zambia applauded Museveni for his comment that when he is in Zambia he comes to renew his cultural contacts.

Lungu thanked Museveni for honouring his invitation to be chief guest at Zambia's 52th independence anniversary celebrations.

Present at dinner was the former Zambian President Rupia Banda, the Vice President Inonge Wina, the Ugandan Minister of State for International Affairs Okello Oryem, Uganda Ambassador to Zambia based in Dar es salaam Doroth Hyuha, Annet Nakecho the MP for Tororo County North and Peter Ogwang the MP Usuku County among others.