THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has organised a protest against what they described as the failure by the Commonwealth nations to fulfil the purpose for which the group was set up.
FDC president Dr. Kizza Besigye yesterday said they will hold the activities at Kololo Airstrip today and tomorrow to, among other things, demonstrate, debate and hold rallies in protest against the Commonwealth.
The Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura, yesterday gave the go-ahead for the function, but cautioned the public against moving to the airstrip in large groups that may disrupt traffic.
Kayihura, in a letter to FDC, also demanded to know how many people they were expecting at the airstrip.
But Besigye expressed surprise that Kayihura wanted the party to estimate the number of participants.
Addressing journalists on Katonga Road, Besigye, flanked by Chapaa Karuhanga, said the activities would coincide with the Commonwealth summit that will take place tomorrow. For more: www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/598404
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Queen addresses Ugandan Parliament
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is due to address the Parliament of Uganda at the Parliamentary buildings.
Her Majesty is here to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) at the International Conference Centre on Friday.
Ugandans wellcome Queen Elizabeth II in thousands
QUEEN Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom arrived yesterday to a grand welcome. Her Majesty is here to open the Commonbwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) at the International Conference Centre on Friday.
The Queen’s royal white-and-striped jet touched down at Entebbe International Airport at 5:30pm. It bore a capital “E” that represents her name Elizabeth.
Two minutes later, she stepped out of the aircraft wearing a cream hat and a long-sleeved beige overcoat and a black bag strapped over her left shoulder. She had black gloves and black shoes.
She walked with ease down the staircase closely followed by her husband Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who was wearing a dark suit.
Waiting to receive the royal couple at the tarmac were the British High Commissioner, Francois Gordon, and the Chief of Protocol in the foreign affairs ministry, Richard Ssenyomo. They bowed in honour.
The Queen paused for a couple of seconds looking out towards Lake Victoria. She was last here in 1954 when she came to commission the Owen Falls Dam at Jinja.
Shortly after, the Queen was driven to the refurbished State House in Entebbe in a dark bullet-proof state-of-the-art Range Rover.
President Yoweri Museveni stepped out of State House to wait for the royal visitors at 5:45pm.
At 5:50pm the Queen’s motorcade arrived at State House where she was given a red carpet welcome by the President, with his wife Janet and other high-ranking government officials.
Traditional dancers entertained her as she walked to meet the President. A school-girl presented the Queen with a bouquet of flowers.
After a brief introduction and the playing of the national anthems, the Queen inspected a guard of honour of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces. A 21-gun salute thundered out later.
Inside the State House, the President showed the royal visitors the Uganda Court of Arms and other symbols of Uganda’s heritage.
The President and the visitors then held close-door talks. Minutes later, the royal couple signed the visitor’s book.
Queen Elizabeth became the first head of state to be hosted at the renovated Entebbe State House.
The royals received a tumultuous reception from jubilant Ugandans as the entourage drove from Entebbe.
The decorated Entebbe Road was thronged with crowds who waved both British and Ugandan flags as they surged forward to have a glimpse of the Queen.
The convoy slowed down at Kawuku, Namulanda, Kajjansi, Namasuba, Najjanakumbi, Kibuye and the Clock Tower and the Queen waved at ecstatic
Ugandans.
According to Buckingham Palace officials in the royal entourage, over 100,000 people turned up to receive the Queen.
They said they had never seen such a reception during the Queen’s foreign visits. By 3:00pm excited people had lined up along Entebbe Road.
Security was elaborate along the 40-kilometre road with soldiers on high-rise buildings. A royal air-force helicopter also patrolled the airspace from Entebbe as the convoy snaked its way to Kampala.
Last night, the Queen hosted media executives and editors to a grand reception at the Serena Hotel Kampala.
This morning, she will visit the Mildmay Centre which cares for people living with AIDS. The hospital was established with British assistance.
Her Majesty is also expected to address Parliament today and host a state banquet at the State House Entebbe. The Queen opens the Commonwealth summit tomorrow morning.
This is the Queen’s second visit to Uganda, her first being in 1954 before Uganda became independent. Then she commissioned the Owen Falls Dam which has been renamed Nalubaale.
Her son Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, arrives today. It will be his first visit to Uganda. He is accompanied by his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
The Queen concludes her visit on Saturday. Most of the heads of government are expected today.
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