Starting tomorrow 13th June 2020, Ugandan and East African Community flags in Uganda and at all its embassies abroad, will fly at half mast until the fallen Burundi president Pierre Nkurunziza is buried -President Museveni has ordered.
President Museveni said, this will be done as an expression of solidarity with the government and people of Burundi upon the passing of President Nkurunziza who died of heart attack on Wednesday this week.
Museveni said it is also serves as a mark of respect for the memory of President Nkurunziza who he described as a true fried of Uganda and a champion of the East African Integration.
In his letter, Museveni said “Burundi and the region will miss Nkurunziza’s talents and the invaluable contribution he was well positioned to make towards the consolidation of peace and stability in Burundi and the region, following his departure from office in a few months to come.”
Nkurunziza was set to handover power in August this year following a decision he made to quit the race for presidency of Burundi even when he had successfully moved a constitutional amendment to allow him another term of office.
He was set to handover to the president-elect, Evariste Ndayishimiye, having been declared the victor of a bitterly disputed election with 68.72 percent held last month.
An member state in the East African Community, Burundi under Nkurunziza had been increasingly isolated since the 2015 after he won a disputed third term in office.
Violence which erupted during that poll left at least 1 200 dead and saw 400 000 flee the country.
Nkurunziza survived a coup attempt shortly after the 2015 vote. International donors cut support, leaving the government struggling.
Persisting turmoil saw the country cut off by foreign donors and its economy plunge, while accusations of major human rights violations have escalated.
Many Burundians were surprised when the president announced in 2018 that he was serving his last term. The government approved legislation meant to bestow upon Nkurunziza the title of “paramount leader” once he stepped down.