Museveni awarded for bolstering peace in Africa
President Museveni has been awarded with the Global Peace Initiative accolade for his efforts to ensure peace in East Africa, Great Lakes region and Africa as a continent.
The function to award Museveni was presided over by Dr.Abeid Karume, the former president for Zanzibar and also the chairperson for the Africa Leadership Mission during the Global Peace Leadership Conference held at Speke Resort Hotel in Munyonyo, Kampala on Thursday.
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Speaking at the function, Dr.Karume applauded Museveni for his efforts to ensure peace and stability within the region which he said is a sign of a statesman character.
“You have shown the world the true example of a great leader by fighting for peace right from South Sudan, Somalia and other countries in the region,”Karume said.
“You have stood out as a general for peace and a statesman.”
Various leaders applauded the Ugandan president of being at the forefront of seeing that instability in Burundi and Somalia comes to an end.
Uganda became the first African country to deploy its troops under the AMISOM in Somalia in 2007.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces(UPDF) is largest troop contributor of the 22,000 strong AMISOM force since 2007, contributing roughly 80 percent of the number and has played an integral role in chasing the Al Shabaab Islamic extremists from the capital Mogadishu.
The UPDF has also deployed in South Sudan during the peak of the war between government forces and the rebels loyal to Riek Machar.
South Sudan
The first South Sudan Taban Deng applauded Museveni for always being at the forefront of ensuring peace returns in Africa’s youngest nation, adding that his efforts cannot go without being recognized.
“We thank Presidents Museveni, Bashir (Sudan),Kenyatta(Kenya) and others who are engaged in seeing peace returns home in South Sudan,”Deng said.
He noted that the youngest African nation is still grappling with instability but noted that with support from other countries, they would be able to overcome the challenges they are facing.
“We need your support because we are human being and are capable of learning from our mistakes. Soon we shall surprise everyone by signing the peace agreement.”
Last month, presidents Museveni and Bashir oversaw drafting of a peace agreement between South Sudan president Salva Kiir and his nemesis also Sudanese People Liberation Movement -In Opposition (SPLM-IO) leader Riek Machar.
The deal which was drafted in Kampala if signed is expected to see an end to the war that broke out in South Sudan after Kiir accused his then deputy Machar of attempting to overthrow him prompting the latter to flee.
