Moi honoured as Museveni marks 24 years in power

By Maseme Machuka

Former President Moi was the chief guest as Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni marked 24 years in power.

President Museveni presented Moi with the Nalubale Award, which is given to those who contributed to the country’s liberation struggle.

The award is also given to those who helped free Uganda from the colonial rule.

When he addressed tens of thousands Ugandans at Maluku District Ground in Mbale town, Moi praised Museveni’s rule.

"I assisted Museveni because I believed in him and what he planted in 1986 has now been harvested. When we met in Nairobi after his ascension to power, he promised me to deliver on his people’s promises, which he has done," he said.

He also thanked the President for supporting Kenya when it was rocked by post-election violence after the disputed 2007 elections.

Museveni treated Moi, who also ruled for 24 years, with a lot of respect. After the function, Museveni escorted Moi to the car as they walked side by side for more 20 metres.

While inviting Moi to address the gathering, Museveni, speaking in Luganda, introduced the former Kenyan President as "Omukadde" (respected elder). He later hosted Moi to a luncheon at State Lodge Mbale.

Moi was accompanied by his private secretary John Lokorio, former nominated MP Mark Too, and the Kenyan High Commissioner in Uganda, Major General (rtd) Geoffrey Okanga.

Ugandan opposition

The Uganda Head of State said Moi was not in Uganda by accident, but because of his great "contribution to the liberation struggle and post-liberation struggle."

Moi’s visit to Uganda was also praised by a section of the Ugandan opposition.

Dr David Matsanga, a presidential candidate on an independent ticket welcomed Moi’s visit.

In an email message sent ahead of the celebrations Matsanga said the ceremony was at the same place where Moi stood in 1984 with the late then President Milton Obote.

He recalled Moi had then called on "Ugandans to unite an avoid the conflict that had consumed our energies until 1986".

"History has repeated itself and today former President Moi is in a company of President Museveni who was by then in exile in Nairobi and other places trying to bring fundamental change to our mother land Uganda. In the last 24 years I have only seen Uganda twice on a peace mission under UN protection. I can agree a lot has changed in Uganda," said Matsanga.

Moi said the Migingo Island dispute should not derail the East Africa integration. "We should stop majimbo tendencies and think of opening up our territories," he said.