President Yoweri Museveni has praised Tanzania, Mozambique and Kenya for the critical role they played in shaping Uganda’s liberation struggle and the eventual growth of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
Speaking shortly after his swearing-in for a seventh term at Kololo Independence Grounds on Tuesday, Museveni said Uganda’s current stability and military strength were built on foundations laid by regional allies during the liberation struggle.
“I want to thank the people of Tanzania. We are here celebrating how Uganda is developing now, how UPDF is strong and so on, but the one who gave us the foundation was Mwalimu Kambarage Nyerere,” Museveni said.
The President expressed gratitude to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who attended the ceremony alongside other regional leaders.
“I am glad Samia is here. Never forget Tanzania,” Museveni added.
Tanzania’s Nyerere trained and offered logistical support to fighters including Museveni.
He also recognised the contribution of Mozambique to Uganda’s military development, saying the southern African nation played a significant role in training fighters who later formed the backbone of the UPDF.
“Mozambique, together with Mwalimu, are the ones who helped us build this force. The 28 people I trained in Montepuez are the ones who built this army,” he noted.
Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) helped shape Uganda’s Front for National Salvation (FRONASA), which was part of the foundation of Uganda’s National Liberation Army (UNLA), National Resistance Army (NRA), and later the UPDF.
Museveni further acknowledged Kenya’s support during difficult periods in Uganda’s history, particularly when many Ugandans fled instability and sought refuge across the border.
“When Ugandans were running away, they went to Kenya. Those countries in particular helped us so much,” he said.
The remarks came after the UPDF showcased its military might during Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony, which was attended by 10 heads of state and other dignitaries.
In 2022 during a visit by then President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi at State House in Entebbe, Museveni spoke passionately of his relationship with Mozambique.
“Our relationship with FRELIMO, many of you are young people and don’t know about your brothers. I started working with FRELIMO in 1967. By then, it had already been working for 5 years. Samuel Kankhomba was killed while I was in Mozambique and he was organizing an ambush against the Portuguese for us to see how it was done,”Museveni said.
“The day Mondlane was killed; I had an appointment with him to discuss another meeting with the students. On Upanga road, there was a fuel station but also a cafe where we were going to meet. I sat there for about two hours. He used to be punctual so, it was not normal. I got into the bus to go back after a long wait and when I got in, I heard people saying that the leader of Mozambique had been killed. The person I had been waiting for had been killed.”
Museveni reiterated his special bond with Mozambique that he said will live forever.
“I’m happy we are strengthening our relationship with Mozambique. I want the Mozambican people to know themselves and know us their brothers. We have been brothers since 1964. I want to tell you people that we are very grateful because we are what we are because of FRELIMO and Mwalimu Nyerere from Tanzania. Mwalimu Nyerere and Samora Machel put a huge contribution to the stability of Uganda,” he said.
