President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame have agreed to push for joint regional peace and stability by addressing the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo as the East African Community Block.
The two leaders today held a bilateral meeting over a range of issues at State House Entebbe. President Kagame is in Uganda on a private visit at the invitation of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. President Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni invited President Kagame to a dinner to honour their son who is also the Commander Land Forces Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Gen. Muhoozi is celebrating his 48th birthday.
During the welcome ceremony at State House Entebbe, President Museveni said that the problems affecting the region like the crisis in Congo needs a collective approach from all regional members. “This time we must insist on working together because these people have suffered a lot. I told President Kenyatta that if we don’t come in as a region, Congo may become like Sudan,” President Museveni said.
President Paul Kagame said that the Congolese problem should not be a responsibility for others and said that leaders and all parties must talk to solve the crisis once and for all.
“They need to talk without leaving anyone behind,” President Kagame said.
President Museveni also updated President Kagame on the talks that were held in Nairobi, Kenya between the Government of Congo and the M23 rebels in the recent clashes.
Later, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni together with the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni hosted President Paul Kagame to a dinner in honour of Lt. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
President Kagame, last visited Uganda in March 2018. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba is credited for his role in restoring the Uganda – Rwanda relations.
Fuel pump prices across Kampala this week shot up with diesel hitting the Shs5,000 mark, up from an average Shs4,500. The increase has rattled the transport sector, creating debate as to how the economy will respond to a crisis that points to leaving the already burdened consumers to pick the bills.
Monday saw most fuel stations, especially in Kampala, increasing pump prices for petrol and diesel by at least by Shs400 and Shs450 respectively, indicating a 9 percent and 10 percent increase, respectively.
It is expected that the increments will negatively impact cost of doing business and prices of other commodities.
The while the price for petrol has been on a steep increase over the last year, diesel had stayed below the Shs5,000 mark until this week. It should be noted that most public transport vehicles use diesel and analysts say the increase in the price will lower aggregate demand as prices of goods increase.
Already taxi operators across the country have announced increases in fares, with many shooting up by over Shs1,000 on average.
The Uganda Men’s Rugby Sevens national team at the weekend won the 2022 Rugby Africa Sevens trophy, beating Zimbabwe, 28-00, in the Cup Final to be crowned African champions as they went unbeaten over the two-day event in which they conceded only three tries.
Uganda beat Kenya 22-12 in the semi-final to qualify for both the 2022 Rugby Sevens World Cup and Birmingham Commonwealth Games, while Zimbabwe beat Zambia 26-17 in the other semi-final.
Kenya’s former president, Mwai Kibaki, has died at the age of 90, President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced.
His 2002 election ended 40 years of one-party rule since independence.
However, his 2007 re-election sparked months of nationwide violence and led to 1,200 deaths.
President Kenyatta, defeated by Mr Kibaki in 2002, led the tribute to his former rival, saying he had “led the charge to keep the ruling party accountable”.
Mr Kibaki had “earned the abiding respect and affection” of this nation, the President continued.
Mr Kenyatta declared a mourning period until Mr Kibaki’s burial, with flags flying at half-mast. He will be given a state funeral with full military honours, President Kenyatta said.
