President Mbeki offers Condolences to President Museveni following Death of Second Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister

President Mbeki today, Thursday - 1 April 2004 - conveyed his heartfelt condolences to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda following the death of Second Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister, James Francis Wamboko Wapakhabula on Saturday, 27 March 2004.

President Mbeki said, "It is with great sadness that we have received the news of the passing away of His Excellency, James Francis Wamboko Wapakhabula, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, 27 March 2004 at his residence in Kampala."

"Please accept, Your Excellency, our sincere condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa and be assured of our prayers at this time of great sorrow."

"May you and the members of the Wapakhabula Family as well as the people of the Republic of Uganda receive solace during this time of grief," concluded President Mbeki.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

1 April 2004