Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni congratulated Dr William Ruto on Monday, August 16, moments after he was declared president-elect by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair, Wafula Chebukati.
In a statement, Museveni noted the Ugandan people were proud of Ruto's win, joining a list of other Presidents in Africa who expressed their satisfaction in his win.
"On behalf of all Ugandans, I congratulate Your Excellency William Ruto upon your election as the 5th President of the Republic of Kenya," President Museveni stated.
Ruto has had a cozy relationship with the Ugandan President, dating back to 2013 when him alongside Uhuru Kenyatta assumed office as Deputy President and President in 2013. Kenyatta is set to vacate office after the swearing in of the president-elect.
On August 2, 2021 in the run up to the August election, however, the government blocked Ruto from visiting Uganda in what it was termed as security protocol breach.
This was on the backdrop of the fallout between Ruto and his boss after the grand handshake with former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga in March 2018.
"When he got to the airport, he was asked to seek clearance from Kinyua. We are surprised. This has never happened in the last nine years," Ruto's Communication Secretary David Mugonyi stated.
A month prior to the scuffle, the president-elect had toured the neighbouring country on a peace mission, according to his communication chief Emmanuel Talam.
Ruto celebrated Museveni's Operation Wealth Creation Initiative, which he likened to hustler narrative during the campaigns.
"The DP went to Uganda on the invite of President Museveni. He has been to Uganda several times before, mostly on the peace process among communities in both countries that live on the border," Talam said.
The visit was also on an invite from Museveni as a chief guest during the official laying of the foundation stone for a vaccine manufacturing facility. The event took place in Matuga, Wakiso district where the construction of the biological drugs and m-RNA vaccine.
Museveni joined a growing list of world leaders who have congratulated Ruto.
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa also congratulated Ruto, followed by Somalia President Hassan Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
"My congratulations to William Ruto, on your election as the President of the Republic of Kenya. I wish you luck in your endeavors ahead," Mnagangwa stated.
