KAMPALA — President Museveni has ordered the flag of Uganda and that of East African Community to half mast throughout the country and all Uganda Embassies and consulate offices abroad starting Saturday June 13 till burial as Uganda joins the region to mourn the passing of Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza.
The president made the announcement on Friday in a letter, describing the late President Nkurunziza as a true friend of Uganda and champion of the East African integration.
“As an expression of our solidarity with government and people of Burundi, as a mark of respect for the memory of President Nkurunziza, I hear by order that the flag of the Republic of Uganda and that the East African Community be flown at half-mast throughout Uganda and all Uganda Embassies and Consular offices abroad tomorrow the 13th June until burial,” the President wrote, adding that flags will be at half-staff in solidarity with government and people of Burundi.
“President Nkurunziza was a true friend of Uganda and champion of the East African integration, President Museveni wrote adding that Burundi and the region will miss President Nkurunziza’s talents and invaluable contribution he was well-positioned to make towards the consolidation of peace and stability in Burundi and the region from his departure from office in a few months’ time.
He sent sympathies to the Government and the people of Burundi. “I covey our deepest condolences to the family of the late President, the government and the people of Burundi, and the entire East African region on the shocking loss”.
Burundi’s government said President Nkurunziza, 55, died of a heart attack.