President Yoweri Museveni seems to be eternally appreciative to Tanzania for having shaped his political career; he has donated US$200,000 (approx. UgShs700m) to aid victims of the 5.7 Richter scale earthquake that ravaged parts of Kagera region in northern Tanzania, killing 19, injuring about 300 people and destroying over 2000 houses.
President Museveni’s donation was announced by Tanzania Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, while he handed over the money to President John Pombe Magufuli over the weekend.
According to President Magufuli, the donation from his counterpart Museveni will be used to repair damaged public facilities and to offer relief services to those affected by the quake that also rippled through the other East African countries.
A political science graduate of Dar es Salaam University, Mr Museveni spent considerable time in Tanzania during his days in exile. In 2007 he also reportedly contributed US$932, 823 (approx. 3.26 billion currently), to the construction of two secondary schools in Muhutwe, northern Tanzania, a development that attracted the attention of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee to initiate investigations into the donation.
Meanwhile, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has also contributed building materials worth US$ 50, 000 to aid the victims of last Saturday’s quake in Tanzania.
Photo credit (Xinhua)
President Kenyatta joined other donors among them the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania that handed over assorted food items, medicines and tents authorities in Kagera.
“The donation came from various Chinese companies, the embassy and Chinese community,” said Zhang Biao, political counselor from the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam while handing over the donation.
Major General Salum Kijuu, Kagera Regional Commissioner, commended the Chinese government for the support, which, according to him, is a great relief to the affected families.
Kijuu said that all the donation received will be distributed to the affected people while begging for more support to rebuild the region.
