The Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has hailed President Museveni as a stabilizing force on the African continent, everyone looks up to.
Desalegn made the remarks on Thursday afternoon while addressing journalists at State House Entebbe during his 3 day visit to Uganda, on the invite of President Museveni.
“This is an important country in Africa and we look up to you for instilling peace, stability and prosperity on the continent. We follow in your steps,” the Ethiopian Prime Minister said of Museveni.
He noted that the volatile Horn of African region needs to cooperate with countries like Uganda to help them in the fight against wrong elements like the Al Shabaab terrorists in Somalia.
Desalegn also praised the Uganda People’s Forces under AMISOM for doing a good job in liberating Somalia from the claws of the terror group that had made the entire Horn of Africa insecure.
“This is the only peacekeeping mission in the world that has made progress and we appreciate your support. You have sacrificed for the success and peace in Somalia.”
In response, President Museveni told his visitor that Uganda is the heart of Africans because of being home to various ethnic tribes that are present in other countries.
“We have the Bantu speaking group, Nilotics, Nilo Hamites, Sudanic people and many other tribes here,” Museveni said.
He noted that there is need for the region to support Somalia after ‘defeating Al Shabaab’ so that they can be able to develop their own country and also revive their weak economy.
According to Museveni, the 2 countries discussed the possibility of construction of a road joining Uganda (Karamoja) to the North Western Ethiopia.
The 2 leaders also held a serious of meetings where they discussed the Nile,South Sudan and other issues related to cooperation of the 2 countries.