His Excellency Amama Mbabazi, former Prime Minister of Uganda, landed at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, among the early international arrivals for the inauguration of South African President-elect Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mbabazi led a Ugandan delegation welcomed by officials after their flight from Entebbe touched down in Johannesburg. They will travel on to the capital Pretoria, where the inauguration ceremony is taking place on June 19th.
As diplomats and dignitaries from across Africa and the world filter into South Africa, the nation is preparing a major celebration of its 30 years of democracy since the end of apartheid rule in 1994. Ramaphosa’s swearing-in at the Union Buildings in Pretoria will reaffirm the country’s democratic institutions and global partnerships.
The theme “30 Years of Democracy, Partnership and Growth” links the struggle leading to Nelson Mandela’s presidency to the nation’s economic and diplomatic progress in the decades since.
Mbabazi’s presence underscores the long-standing ties between Uganda and South Africa, which were among the first nations to establish full diplomatic relations after South Africa’s transition in 1994. The two countries have continued cooperating closely, including Uganda’s support for South Africa’s tenure as chair of the African Union in 2020.
In the run-up to Wednesday’s grand ceremony, Pretoria’s streets are being lined with South African flags and national colors as security is tightened in the capital. The South African National Defence Force will oversee a 21-gun salute, flypasts and ceremonial parades on inauguration day.
Beyond the formal proceedings when Ramaphosa takes the oath of office, there will be performances and celebrations showcasing South Africa’s diverse cultures and traditions on the Union Buildings grounds.
As the Ugandan delegation joins a stream of international arrivals, hotels in Pretoria are filling up and ceremonial rehearsals are underway for the highly anticipated inauguration that will mark the renewal of South Africa’s democratic presidency.
