KAMPALA: The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Hon. Mathias Mpuuga has saluted the former President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan whose reformist policies transformed his country into an economic powerhouse.
Mpuuga on Monday, May 23, 2022, visited the UAE Embassy in Kampala where he signed the condolence book in memory of the departed UAE leader.
“It took him 10 years to transform the UAE into an economic hub. His foresightedness prepared his country to think beyond its vast oil resources to invest in the non-oil economy,” Mpuuga said.
Sheikh Khalifa died on May 13, 2022 ,at the age of 73. He was UAE’s second president and the 16th Ruler (Emir) of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi having succeeded his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 2004.
He went out of the public eye in 2014 after suffering a stroke, with his brother, Prince Mohammed bin Zayed taking over as the de facto ruler.
Mpuuga hailed the UAE for supporting various charities in Uganda that have positively impacted the lives of Ugandans.
“Through organisations like UAE Aid, Emirates Red Crescent as well as NGOs established by their Highnesses, the Emirs of the seven Emirates that make up the UAE, have funded the construction of health centres, schools, boreholes, water wells and mosques for which we are grateful,” the LOP said.
He was accompanied to the embassy by Bugiri Municipality MP who also doubles as the Chairperson of the Muslim Caucus in Parliament, Hon. Asuman Basalirwa and Katikamu South MP, and the Opposition’s representative to the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC), Hon. Hassan Kirumira Lukalidde.
