Wamalwa holds talks with Ugandan leader

By Robert Wanyonyi

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni held a two-hour meeting with three Kenyan MPs, led by Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa on Sunday.

The meeting held at the Mbale State Lodge in the eastern region of Uganda was also attended by Ford-Kenya chairman Musikari Kombo, Assistant Minister Wakoli Bifwoli (Lands) and former Chief of Protocol in the PM’s office Tony Gachoka.

The MPs are believed to have secured the chance to meet Museveni thanks to Bamaasaba King Omukuka Wilson Wambibi, who also attended the talks that ran between 9.30pm and 11.30pm.

Earlier in the day, Museveni had presided over a military national celebrations at Soroti.

"Our talks centred on cultural issues and cross-border relationship," Wamalwa told The Standard yesterday. He said Museveni expressed his support for cultural growth and sustainability, not only in Uganda but also within the East African region.

Election time

Wamalwa said his relationship with Museveni dates back to the days of his late brother, former Vice-President Michael Kijana Wamalwa, who was close to the Museveni family.

The younger Wamalwa represented Museveni in a petition case in 2001 alongside renowned Kenyan lawyer John Khaminwa.

In recent days, several Kenyan leaders have been visiting Uganda to show solidarity with Museveni ahead of the country’s elections, to be conducted in two weeks’ time. The leaders include Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Eldoret North MP William Ruto.