President Museveni supports eradication of nuclear weapons

President Museveni last night told visiting Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Uganda does not support acquisition of nuclear weapons by new countries.
In a speech delivered over dinner at State House Entebbe, Mr Museveni, however, insisted that the use of nuclear technology for civilian purposes such as electricity generation is “a right” of every country.
“We should work for a nuclear weapons-free world,” the President said, adding: “This means that those who have these weapons should work to get rid of them under an internationally agreed and verifiable Treaty and that those President Museveni last night told his visiting Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Uganda does not support acquisition of nuclear weapons by new countries.

In a speech delivered over dinner at State House Entebbe, Mr Museveni, however, insisted that the use of nuclear technology for civilian purposes such as electricity generation is “a right” of every country.

“We should work for a nuclear weapons-free world,” the President said, adding: “This means that those who have these weapons should work to get rid of them under an internationally agreed and verifiable treaty and that those who do not possess them should not seek to acquire them.”

These pronouncements, which according to State House, were made in direct reference to Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme, clarify Uganda’s thoughts on Iran accused by the West of seeking to manufacture nuclear bombs.

It, however, leaves intact the dilemma about whether Uganda as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, would vote for or against new sanctions that President Obama’s administration wants imposed on Iran. A statement issued by Ms Lindah Nabusayi, the deputy presidential press secretary, quotes Mr Museveni as saying: “We salute the independent foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Mr Ahmadinajad flew in from Zimbabwe and touched down at Entebbe International airport around 7:15p.m.