President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has joined several world leaders and citizens of Tanzania in mourning the former President of Tanzania, the late Hassan Mwinyi, who died on February 29, 2024, at the age of 98.
In his condolence message, Museveni hailed the late Mwinyi for vigorously supporting the liberation struggles in Uganda, adding that he was a comrade in the struggle.
The late Mwinyi had been in successive governments of the United Republic of Tanzania in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s in various capacities.
“I had, however, not worked directly with Mzee Mwinyi until towards the end of 1985. In that period, Mwalimu Nyerere retired as President of Tanzania. However, before he retired, he directed that the NRA, our Resistance Army, should be allocated 5,000 SMGs and 1 million rounds of ammunition. I am glad Mzee Mwinyi implemented Mwalimu’s pledge. 13,10-tonne Lorries delivered the useful cargo to us at the Nyamarungyi border point in Isingiro District,” President Museveni said.
According to President Museveni, after capturing power in 1986, Mzee Mwinyi worked closely with his government to revive the East African Community, and it was Mzee Moi and Mzee Mwinyi who helped to revive that great organisation.
“On other bilateral issues, we worked very well with Mzee Mwinyi on all issues. I remember going to Kimwanyi, near Masaka, to break ground for the power line to supply electricity to Bukoba in Tanzania from Uganda. During the Rwandan war, Tanzania played a constructive, neutral role. That is why the peace negotiations were taking place in Arusha,” he said.
The President said that the late Mzee Mwinyi made a positive contribution to the East African region and to Uganda’s future.
“Indeed, the 20,000 rifles we used to liberate Kampala contained the 5,000 ordered by Mwalimu, as already pointed out and implemented by Mzee Mwinyi. We express our condolences to the family and our Tanzanian comrades,” President Museveni said.
Born on May 8, 1925, the late Ali Hassan Mwinyi served as the second President of the United Republic of Tanzania from 1985 to 1995.
Previously, he served as Minister for Home Affairs, Vice President, and chairman of the ruling party, the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), from 1990 to 1996.
During Mwinyi’s term, Tanzania took the first steps to reverse the socialist policies of Julius Nyerere.
