Museveni lifts lid on private phone call with Ramaphosa over ‘xenophobic’ attacks

Museveni

Kampala – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni says he told South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that South Africa had “betrayed” Uganda and the rest of Africa by allowing xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans.

Speaking on Sunday at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, where Ugandans repatriated from South Africa are undergoing counselling and rehabilitation, Museveni revealed details of what he described as a candid telephone conversation with Ramaphosa.

According to Pulse, the Ugandan leader said he challenged Ramaphosa over the targeting of Ugandans and questioned why Africans who had supported South Africa’s liberation struggle were now being labelled as foreigners.

‘Who exactly is xeno?’

Museveni said one of the key issues he raised with Ramaphosa was the use of the term “xeno” to describe African migrants.

“Yesterday, I spoke with President Ramaphosa and told him I felt South Africa betrayed us.”

He added: “I asked Ramaphosa, who exactly is xeno? Is it me you are calling xeno?”

Museveni said he had researched the word, which he said originates from Greek and means “alien”, arguing that Africans should never regard one another as outsiders.

‘I supported the ANC for 60 years’

The Ugandan president reminded Ramaphosa that African countries, including Uganda, had supported the African National Congress (ANC) throughout the struggle against apartheid.

“I supported the ANC for 60 years, not just in words, but also with material help, and yet you call my grandchildren xeno?”

Museveni said South Africa had benefited from solidarity across the continent and warned that xenophobia risked eroding those historic ties.

Museveni blames ANC opponents

Despite his criticism, Museveni said he did not believe ordinary South Africans were responsible for the attacks.

Instead, he said Ramaphosa indicated that the violence stemmed from political challenges within South Africa.

“It appears that the people behind this xenophobic campaign are enemies of ANC who wish for the party to lose its reputation around Africa.”

While acknowledging that countries have the right to enforce immigration laws, Museveni said there was no justification for xenophobic rhetoric.

“They can claim that you went there without following the law; that is a different thing; but calling you xeno… that is the language of the enemy.”

Warning over African unity

Drawing on his own experience of spending eight years in exile in Tanzania, Museveni said he had always encouraged Africans to welcome one another, adding that hostility towards fellow Africans only served those seeking to divide the continent.

“I told President Ramaphosa to rectify this because it is dangerous.”

He also urged Ugandans not to retaliate against South Africans living or doing business in Uganda.

“If we also chase away the South Africans who are here, that is what the enemy wants, that we start fighting amongst each other.”

Compensation for returnees

Museveni announced that the Ugandan government would provide Shs2 million (about R8,900) to each returning family to help them rebuild their lives.

He also instructed returnees to compile records of homes, businesses and other property lost during the attacks so Uganda could pursue compensation.

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