Kagame to be awarded two of Uganda’s most prestigious medals

President Paul Kagame will this Thursday be bestowed upon two prestigious liberation medals in Uganda in recognition of his role in the National Resistance Army (NRA) liberation struggle. The Permanent Secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador James Mugume, said the medals will be presented to the President during celebrations to mark the 26th National Resistance Movement’s anniversary in Kapchorwa District at Sebei College Sports Grounds. “He will be presented with the Pearl of Africa medal and the Luweero Triangle medal because he was among the original 27 fighters of the struggle,” Mugume told The New Times in Kampala yesterday.Mugume said President Kagame will be the first Head of State to get the Pearl of Africa medal, a new decoration reserved for Heads of State. The January 26 event is observed annually in commemoration of the day, almost 26 years ago, when President Museveni’s NRA toppled Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa’s military junta. Uganda’s Information Minister, Mary Karooro Okurut, said this year’s function is particularly important because unlike previous celebrations, it is a jubilee year when the country will commemorate 50 years of the country’s Independence. The ceremony will be held under the theme; ‘Uganda, the Land of Opportunities: NRM’s Contribution during the Last Half of the 50 Years of Uganda’s Independence. gashegu.muramira@newtimes.co.rw