President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa, who died at the age of 81 in a Dar es Salaam hospital, and has declared three days of mourning by Uganda for the fallen ex-leader.
Mkapa, whose death was announced by the Tanzanian government on Friday, was the East African nation’s third post-independence president.
“It is with a lot of sadness that I heard of the death of our brother, H.E Benjamin Mkapa,” tweeted President Museveni.
“I started working with H.E Mkapa in 1967 when we were university students and he was the chief editor of the Nationalist newspaper.
“During the 1979 crisis, Ndugu Mkapa was delegated to handle the Moshi Conference that brought together the Ugandan exile groups including FRONASA. He was Foreign Affairs Minister that time.
“When he became President of Tanzania, we worked together to consolidate the East African Community. It is a great loss for Africa. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” said Museveni of a man who ruled for two terms – from 1995 to 2005.
“I convey my condolences and those of the People of Uganda to Anne, the children and the people of Tanzania. The flags in Uganda will fly at half mast for three days, starting tomorrow, Saturday, July 25th, at 0600hrs (Saa kumi nambili).”
In a brief televised speech, President John Magufuli said Mkapa’s death “is a big loss” for Tanzania.
“I’m saddened by the death of the third president of Tanzania and that is a big loss for us as a country. Let’s pray for him and more information will follow later.”
The Tanzanian president did not reveal the cause of death.