Ugandan MPs and their South African counterparts Tuesday prayed for quick recovery of the former South African president Nelson Mandela who is currently in Pretoria hospital battling a recurring lung infection.
Nelson Mandela
MPs hailed the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon for leading a movement to unify a divided nation and reconcile decades of pain and racism.
“We pray for quick recovery of our beloved freedom fighter who with patience, wisdom and a willingness to sacrifice for others, led a movement to unify a divided nation and reconcile decades of pain and racism,” the presidential affairs committee chairperson Col. Fred Mwesigye said.
The head of South African delegation, Elliot Sogome, lauded Mandela for his exceptional leadership as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
“We pray and wish our hero who remains in critical but stable condition a quick recovery,” Sogome said, before adding: “Throughout his life, Mandela continuously chose to learn from his mistakes rather than repeat them. This personal integrity helped him win South Africa’s first democratic presidential election, and calm the fears of a nation in turmoil.”
Mandela’s condition worsened last week with family members saying his health was “delicate” and “anything is imminent.”
The visiting MPs commended the Ugandan Parliament for its oversight role and said it had become a role model for the rest of Africa.
By Umaru Kashaka, The New Vision
