'We won't demonise Mugabe'

2004-10-06 12:52

Harare - Regime change does not work in Africa and Britain is responsible for some of the continent's troubles, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on Wednesday.

Speaking during his state visit to Zimbabwe, Museveni, whose controversial "no party democracy" has scored some success, said he supported the seizure of white-owned farms in that country.

"When I heard about the problems created here (in Zimbabwe), I don't agree with those who condemn Zimbabwe without looking at the whole situation. In Uganda we have the same problem created by the British," Museveni said.

In a speech supporting Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe against the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, he said: "Regime change can't be for black Africa".

'You are just stupid'

"When I hear these people trying to demonise President Mugabe, I say you can't demonise a leader of the liberation struggle and expect support from us. You are just stupid."

Mugabe's violent land grab has seen about a dozen white farmers killed since February 2000, but aid agencies warn that the real catastrophe has been the eviction of as many as 300 000 farm workers who now face unemployment.

Zimbabwe's economy has shrunk by over 30% since Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party embarked on its campaign to seize land, despite criticism from local human rights organisations who say the farm seizures were marked by murder, torture, rape and arson.

Meanwhile, Museveni went on to accuse western powers of arrogance in the face of Africa's Aids pandemic.

"In the early days of the disease some countries were afraid of openly talking of HIV and Aids for fear of chasing away tourists," he said.

"Europeans say use condoms, but there are sexual sicknesses that condoms cannot stop. Because of the greed for money, the Europeans are endangering the human race," Museveni said.

He urged unmarried people to abstain from sex and once they had partners to practice "organised and disciplined sex" by remaining faithful to them.

- SAPA