By Paul Fauvet
Maputo (MOZTIMES)– Mozambican President Daniel Chapo hopes that Mozambique can learn from Uganda in the fight against Islamist terrorism in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
Chapo was speaking on Tuesday in Kampala, where he attended the ceremony at which Yoweri Museveni was sworn into office for his seventh term as Ugandan President.
There is a longstanding alliance between Mozambique and Uganda, dating back to the 1970s, when Ugandan revolutionaries, led by Museveni, were fighting against the dictatorship of Idi Amin. Museveni received his military training at the hands of Mozambican instructors in Montepuez, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
He established the National Salvation Front which, in alliance with Tanzanian and Mozambican forces overthrew Amin. The ensuing regime, under Milton Obote, proved short lived. In 1986, Museveni, then heading the National Resistance Movement, defeated Obote, seized Kampala, and became President.
“Uganda has extensive experience in combating terrorism”, declared Chapo. “President Museveni knows Cabo Delgado intimately, and Mozambique considers Uganda an important partner in confronting the terrorism affecting that province”.
“Our relationship with Uganda is historic”, he continued. “The first 80 fighters in the Ugandan liberation struggle were trained in Mozambique, including President Museveni. He possesses a deep knowledge of Cabo Delgado province, particularly Montepuez district, where he received military training during the Ugandan armed struggle”.
Chapo also called for deepening economic cooperation between Mozambique and Uganda.
Given the historical ties, “we found it extremely important to be present at this inauguration”, said Chapo. During his investiture speech, Museveni highlighted the role played by Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda in the liberation of the African continent.
Museveni has been in power since 1986 and he has amended the Ugandan Constitution twice to eliminate age and term limits.
The Ugandan opposition leader, the musician known as Bobi Wine has dismissed Museveni’s repeated election victories as fraudulent. Museveni was declared the winner of the 2026 general election after supposedly receiving 71% of the vote.
After the election, Bobi Wine was forced to flee the country, claiming that his life was in danger. (PF)
