Museveni tours Kisumu, calls for unity in East Africa

By Standard reporters

East African countries have been asked to unite and form a federation to promote peace and regional trade.

At different stopovers in Kisumu city, the Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Prime Minister Raila Odinga said it is through cordial relations and unity among the five countries that trade barriers will be removed.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga receives Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Kisumu International Airport, Saturday.[PHOTO: STANDARD/TITUS MUNALA]

Museveni said plans were underway to improve roads, railways and airports in the region to ensure transport was enhanced to widen market and fasten cross border trade.

"Good neighbourliness is the foundation for a healthy trade. We shall ensure the barriers are removed for the trade to thrive between the two countries," Museveni said.

Raila said, "East African countries should have one state, with one leader to fast-track trade among the members states such as Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya."

Museveni further said it was through the unity that market for products would be enhanced.

"We should unite for bigger markets and trade like in Europe and America. East Africa should work together," he said.

Museveni came to Kisumu to launch the Great Lakes University of Kisumu Education Trust Fund.

He was invited by Raila Odinga in a deal struck last year December when the Prime Minister presided at a fundraiser for Busoga University in Uganda.

Residents of Kisumu gave Museveni red carpet welcome.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga arrived in the city on Friday evening and toured the streets where he met residents and urged them to come out in large numbers to welcome Museveni.

- Reported by Nicholas Anyuor,

Anderson Ojwang’and Kepher Otieno