President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed a session of Maputo Municipal Council last evening in Mozambique and thanked them for bestowing on me the highest honour of the Key of Maputo City.
Museveni also thanked His Excellency Jacinto Nyusi for hosting his entourage and myself to a state dinner at State House, Maputo.
“My trip to Mozambique is partly to pay tribute to FRELIMO and the people of Mozambique for their role in training and shaping FRONASA, which became the foundation of Uganda’s liberation army, NRA, and later the UPDF.” Museveni said.
Museveni added that FRELIMO greatly helped Uganda build a national liberation army that dismantled tribal and sectarian based post-independence armies including the defeat of tyrants. Ugandans should not forget, let alone underrate or take for granted this contribution.
“FRELIMO’s support was not in vain. The UPDF, the current army borne out of the NRA, has contained and defeated Al-Shabaab, helping restore order in Somalia, among other national and regional accomplishments. I salute FRELIMO leaders, especially Comrade Samora Machel, for their unwavering efforts in the fight for the independence of Mozambique. They not only achieved freedom for Mozambique but also engineered and motivated other African freedom fighters in countries that were still colonized.” He added.
Museveni also noted that there must be need to thank Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, who was part of the positive post-independence leaders that stood for patriotism and Pan-Africanism as opposed to politics of tribe and religion.
“Nyerere’s foresightedness drove him to openly support FRELIMO and also backed Ugandan fighters to train in Mozambique so as to fight the Idi Amin dictatorship. The challenge now is to strengthen economic cooperation between Mozambique and Uganda. We must enhance trade between these two brotherly countries.” He added.
