Museveni apologises to Goodluck on stone throwing mobs

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni in a statement published in the state-owned New Vision newspaper has apologised to Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan, whose vehicle was hit by a stone by mobs during last week's presidential inauguration in Kampala.

Museveni said the car carrying Congolese leader, Joseph Kabila, was almost hit. He apologised to the foreign leaders for

the "hooliganism and irresponsibility".

Meanwhile Museveni has branded foreign media as "enemies" especially the BBC because of their coverage of recent anti-government protests.

In a statement Museveni said,"The media houses, both local and international, such as al-Jazeera, BBC, NTV, The Daily Monitor, etc, that cheer on these irresponsible people, are enemies of Uganda's recovery and they will have to be treated as such. Why do they not also report the negative acts of these elements?"

Uganda has seen sharp spikes in food and fuel prices the last several months, making car or bus travel unaffordable for many. Anger over the increases has fuelled Besigye’s protests, and security forces have clashed with protesters around the country. Human Rights Watch says government forces have shot and killed nine people during crackdowns on protests.

Museveni, an ex-rebel commander who seized power at the head of a guerrilla army in 1986, once criticized African rulers who clung to power. In 2001 he promised to retire from politics despite lifting a two-term limit on the presidency so he could run again in 2006. But now Museveni says he is fostering peace, stability and growth.