Zimbabwe opposition protests Museveni invite to country
President Yoweri Museveni has left the country for Zimbabwe to officiate at the 60th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) this week in Bulawayo.
Museveni who is on the invitation of counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa will land in animosity from the country’s opposition leaders who are indifferent towards the Ugandan leader.
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Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, MDC which is headed by Nelson Chamisa already protested the invitation of Museveni whom they claim is terrorizing Ugandans.
“I don’t understand why Mnangagwa chose Museveni to trade with him. Perhaps it’s a way of confirming his belonging to the dictators’ club because Museveni’s behaviour in his own county leaves a lot to be desired,” Chamisa said.
“The choice of friends defines the man’s character and we are worried that Mnangagwa invited Mr Museveni at a time when he is terrorising his own opposition.”
Chamisa pointed out Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu whom he claimed was being ‘terrorised’ by Museveni back in Uganda.
“He has been arrested several times. That kind of behaviour is not acceptable on the African continent. We don’t take it lightly whenever dictators come in cahoots or in unison. We have an obligation to fight them,” he said.
Meanwhile former Education Minister for Zimbabwe David Coltart, has also lambasted Mnangagwa for his choice of Museveni labelling it ‘inappropriate’.
However, the ruling government of Zimbabwe has defended Museveni’s invite, describing him as a legitimate with an unquestionable status among the international organisations.
“There is no measurement to dictatorship, Museveni has won the presidential seat through elections. Therefore, there is no evidence to this dictatorship claim,” the government spokesperson said.
"We have to hear from him when he comes. He has quite a lot to share with us. The ZITF is a showcase of what companies and various government departments are doing in trying to achieve the national vision of achieving Middle Income Economy by 2030,” he added.
Museveni was last month in Nairobi Kenya where he delivered a keynote speech to students of Kenyatta University amidst mild heckling from a section of students mobilised by opposition politicians outside the venue.
