200809252119 | Bush praises Museveni's leadership

Bush praises Museveni's leadership

US President George W. Bush was all in praises for Ugandan strongman President Yoweri Museveni. He said Museveni was a strong leader who has helped solve conflicts in Africa. He laso praised Museveni for combating Aids.

“I just had a very productive meeting with President Museveni. He’s been a very strong leader on a number of fronts. First, he’s been very helpful in solving regional conflicts on the continent of Africa, and I want to thank you for your leadership,” Bush said . “Secondly, you gave me great confidence when it came to realising the proper strategy in dealing with HIV/AIDS. The success in Uganda showed the rest of the continent and the world how strong leadership and a good strategy can save lives. The ABC programme was implemented in your country. Infection rates went from a lot to a much smaller number,” he said.

Bush also lauded Museveni for implementing the Malaria Initiative the US president launched in June 2005 to help control malaria by preventing 50% deaths in 15 of the worst-hit countries. Over 200,000 mosquito nets have been distributed in Uganda under the initiative. “That (success) is because of the leadership of you and the organisation of your government,” he stated.

Museveni thanked Bush for the support he has given Uganda through the AIDS fund. He said because of this, Ugandans get free anti-retroviral drugs.

He thanked the US for the Millennium Challenge Account and other support through the World Bank and USAID. “What we need is to lower the cost of doing business in Africa through investing in infrastructure and energy, so that we can attract foreign direct investment,” Museveni said.