Kagame, Kabila sulk at Museveni dinner

At the just concluded International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the two protagonists Rwanda President Paul Kagame and DRC’s Joseph Kabila could not see eye to eye on the day the meeting opened last Tuesday.

During dinner, both Kagame and Kabila just looked on as the other heads of state enjoyed the mouth-watering meal. For instance, Museveni and Kikwete were seen enjoying the various dishes on offer as Kagame and Kabila sulked. However, towards the end of the conference, both leaders wore smiles, having been reassured that the problem of M23 rebels in eastern DRC would be addressed by a neutral regional force.

Museveni orders Media Centre staff back home
A female employee of the Uganda Media Centre who also doubles a political fixer for NRM was left with a bitter taste in her mouth when President Museveni ordered her to return from a lucrative job in Somalia, which she got recently. The employee had even thrown a farewell party before she departed.

But when word went round that she had left, the President who was fond of her and knows her family, asked why she had left. Museveni immediately ordered her to return and we have learnt that she is back at her old job gnashing teeth.

Guest irritates African president
The former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, is one of the most respected public figures in Africa, especially for continuing Ketumile Masire’s legacy of ruling justly and handing over power peacefully. During a recent visit to a serving African president, Mr. Mogae decided to reason with the big man.

“Mr. President,” Mogae started. “When I was cabinet secretary, you were already president of this beautiful country.”
The big man nodded brightly.

“Then I became minister, you were still president. I became vice president, you were still president. I became president, you were president. Now I have retired after two terms and you are still president. Do tell me Mr. President, what exactly is in that seat that makes you stay on?”

The African president was far from amused, but he had no answer for the older man’s wisdom. He suggested that the Botswana man did not understand the complexities of leading a fragile country – that the big man was the custodian of the country’s vision. According to Wolokoso sources, Mr. Mogae, was not convinced.

Oryem Okello does not know Zambia’s Michael Sata
Acting Foreign Affairs minister, Henry Okello Oryem, made a protocol blunder when he referred to the Zambian president, Michael Sata, as Rwanda’s president. Oryem, who goofed in the full glare of the media and other heads of state at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo, did not escape a berating from his boss.

“Forgive my minister who does not know the geographical location of some of these countries,” retorted Museveni.

Mwenda rushes to Munyonyo over Rwanda crisis
Andrew Mwenda, owner of the Independent magazine, whose PR work for Rwanda is no longer a secret, last Tuesday rushed to the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo where heads of state were meeting to resolve the conflict brewing in North Kivu, DRC.

Coming into the summit, Rwanda had been battered by the international community for allegedly backing Bosco Ntaganda’s M23 rebels who have sown mayhem in the DRC, with some western countries even cutting off aid.

At Munyonyo, Mwenda was seen engrossed in a deep conversation with Rwanda’s ambassador to Uganda, Maj. Gen. Frank Mugambagye, perhaps on strategies to handle the public relations crisis at hand.