MAKERERE, Uganda — Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke, head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), joined two East African high commissioners Friday to flag off the second group of participants in the Twende Zetu Butiama Pilgrimage Safari.
The pilgrimage, organized by Afrika Mashariki Fest, is a youth-led journey commemorating the legacy of the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and the 26th anniversary of the revived East African Community (EAC).
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Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli, thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady Janet Museveni for sponsoring the journey. Simuli welcomed the pilgrims to Tanzania and urged them to study Nyerere’s values, accepting their “sole responsibility to join East African as one.”
Kenyan High Commissioner Joash Maangi declared that “the time for East African integration is now,” and tasked the youth with fulfilling this mission. He advised them to identify as “East Africanists” to ensure regional economies thrive and poverty is eradicated.
In his remarks, Isoke urged the participants to embrace the integrity and “incorruptible character” embodied by Nyerere. He stressed the need for the youth to return energized to fight corruption, a vice he noted takes away over 5% of the global GDP annually, and uphold moral values.
Dr. Kisembo Tendo, CEO of Afrika Mashariki Fest (AMF), said the first edition of the pilgrimage produced the Butiama Accord, which was presented to EAC Heads of State and called for deeper integration, fighting corruption, youth investment, and Kiswahili adoption. Tendo noted that the second edition will focus on advancing Kiswahili and instilling EAC values among the next generation.
