Sudan first vice president Garang visits Uganda

Uganda president Yoweri Museveni (L) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLA) leader John Garang (R) share a joke during the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the SPLA and the Sudan Government in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, Januray 9, 2005. (Reuters).

KAMPALA, July 29, 2005 (Xinhua) — Sudan’s First Vice President John Garang arrived in Uganda on Friday for a brief visit during which he is expected to hold talks with President Yoweri Museveni, according to Radio Uganda.

Garang was received by Ugandan Vice President Gilbert Bukenya at Entebbe International Airport at one o’clock (1000 GMT). Later, he flew directly to President Museveni’s country home in Rwakitura, in Mbarara district in southern Uganda.

The two leaders are expected to discuss issues of bilateral interest to the two neighboring countries and the political future of Sudan, an official statement was quoted by the government radio as saying.

Observers here believed that the two leaders will also discuss the situation in northern Uganda where over 1.4 million people have been displaced by Lord’s Resistance Army rebels who have bases in southern Sudan.

Garang, formerly rebel leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army was recently sworn-in with the government after 20 years of civil war.