Bush asserts war on terror stance to ‘unstable’ state

US President George W Bush took his “war on terror” message to Uganda yesterday, aiming to boost security in a region Washington fears could become a home to groups like al-Qaida.

Mr Bush also hoped to polish his anti-AIDS credentials in Uganda, which has been hailed as an African pioneer in fighting the killer disease.

The East African country borders war-torn Sudan and Kenya, scenes of two al-Qaida attacks in the past five years.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni hopes the visit will restore some of the lustre he has lost on the international stage, due partly to flawed elections in 2001 and his country’s involvement in conflicts in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ugandan activists said they wanted signs from Mr Bush he meant business with his plan to use up to $15 billion to fight AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean.

“People are dying in thousands,” said Rosette Mutambi, co-ordinator of the Uganda Access Coalition, campaigning for cheaper drugs for an estimated 1.5 million Ugandans with HIV.

“I wouldn’t want to think that he can go against what he has committed himself to do,” she said.

A group of schoolchildren cheered as Mr Museveni walked out onto the airport tarmac to greet the US president.

Traditional dancers created a carnival atmosphere in the hot afternoon sun and Mr Bush tapped his foot and nodded his head in time to the beat of the drums.

In keeping with the fast pace of his five-nation African trip, his schedule was to keep him within a few kilometres of the airport at Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria.

The US president will visit an AIDS organisation in a 15-minute tour as part of the visit, which lasts just more than four hours.

In contrast to Botswana, which has the highest rate of HIV infection in the world and was a stop on Thursday for Mr Bush, Uganda has reduced infection rates from about 30% in 1992 to 6% in 2000, according to government figures.

Uganda’s apparent success in fighting AIDS, questioned by some health experts, has helped legitimise Mr Museveni, who shot his way to power in 1986 but has since twice won re-election.

Uganda is one of five states picked by Washington for a $100 million scheme to help governments in the region tighten security, with its eastern neighbour Kenya also due to get funds.