President Yoweri Museveni has hailed the people of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Pemba and the Republic of Tanzania for their unity, chasing away bad leaders and for supporting Uganda to rid it of bad leadership.
The President was yesterday speaking at colourful celebrations to commemorate 50 years of the Zanzibar Revolution at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
"I bring you greetings from Uganda and well wishes. Zanzibar, Tanganyika, Uganda and Congo's relationship did not start today or yesterday. We have related for a long time. In Uganda we never had cloth, it came from here. We used to exchange it with elephant tusks. I want to thank you for the support you rendered our country to rid it of bad leadership with support from Mwalimu Nyerere and Sheikh Karume," he said.
The new government in Zanzibar then led by Abeid Amani Karume, turned Zanzibar into a short lived People's Republic of Zanzibar. Karume led Zanzibar into the union with mainland Tanganyika to form the new United Republic of Tanzania with Julius Nyerere as Head of State.
The President, who was cheered by the crowds when he said he would use his bad Swahili to address the people instead of the good English because this is Africa, said unity in Tanzania had ensured that there are no tribal or religious differences and contributed to the unity of the East African Region and the rest of Africa and the liberation struggle in the whole of Africa.
"Am happy to come here because there has been peace for all these years without any bloodshed. I want to commend you for the unity, leadership, education that your leaders have ensured. We wish you well and hope that you continue with the spirit of our fore leaders," he said calling on the region to support a united regional market for goods and services of its people.
President Museveni said while natural resources are wealth, the richest wealth is the human resource.
The President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein said today was a day of remembering the victory of the people of Zanzibar.
"It is evident that the revolution established the rule of the oppressed, brought equality and restored human dignity and respect to workers and peasants. I pray to God to bestow mercy to the commander of the 12th January revolution the late Mzee Abeid Amani Karume and his fellow revolutionaries and to give long life to those still living," he said.
Dr. Mohammed Shein, who gave a detailed state of affairs report since the revolution, emphasized that the celebrations must remind them of the importance of protecting, defending and maintaining their revolution as they have done for the last 50 years.
"It is clear that we are celebrating peace and unity. We, therefore, must honour and maintain our unity and solidarity which are the secret of our peace and stability," he said.
The Zanzibar Revolution by local African revolutionaries in 1964 overthrew the Sultan of Zanzibar and his mainly Arab government. Frustrated by under-representation in parliament the mainly African Afro-Shirazi Party (ASP) allied itself with the left-wing Umma Party, and early on the morning of 12 January 1964, ASP member John Okello mobilised around 600-800 revolutionaries on the main island of Unguja (Zanzibar Island). They overran the country's police force and appropriated their weaponry, before overthrowing the Sultan and his government.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President of the Comoros Ikililou Dhoinine and a special envoy of President I Jinping of the People's Republic of China, Hon. Jiang Weiin who is the minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, former Presidents of Tanzania.
Honourables Rosemary Nyakikongoro (Woman MP Sheema) and Milton Muwuma (Kigulu South) accompanied the President.
Earlier, the President was received at Karume International Airport by Ramathan Shaban, the Minister for Lands, Construction and Energy in Zanzibar.
President Museveni was received on arrival at Entebbe International Airport this evening by Minister for Security Mr. Muruli Mukasa, the Head of Public Service, Mr. John Mitala, the Commander of Air Force Gen. Sam Turyagyenda, the Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. okot Ochola and the Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons, Mr. James Mwanje.
Pic: President Museveni shakes hands with His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Shein, Raisi wa Zanzibar
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