Gandhi Heritage Centre to be built in Uganda: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced to build a Gandhi Heritage Centre in Uganda's Jinja, where a statue of Mahatma Gandhi now stands.

Addressing the Ugandan Parliament, the Prime Minister said, "And, at the sacred site in Jinja, where a statue of Gandhiji now stands, we will build a Gandhi Heritage Centre. As we approach the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, there can be no better homage than a Centre to remind us of Africa's role in shaping his mission."

The Prime Minister further said that the story of India's own freedom struggle is intimately linked to Africa.

"The story of India's own freedom struggle is intimately linked to Africa. It is not just the 21 years that Gandhiji spent in Africa or the First Non- Cooperation Movement he led," the Prime Minister added.

He further said that India pursued Afro-Asian solidarity in Bandung and added, "We stood firm in opposition to apartheid in South Africa. We took leading and bold positions in former Rhodesia - now Zimbabwe, in Guinea Bassau, Angola and Namibia."

The Prime Minister further stated that India and Africa stand on the threshold of a future of great promise.

"India's principled support to Africa's liberation movements often came at a cost to our nation's trade. This mattered nothing in comparison to Africa's freedom. Today, India and Africa stand on the threshold of a future of great promise: As confident, secure, youthful, innovative, and dynamic people," he added.

Prime Minister Modi is currently on a five-day three-nation tour of the African continent-Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa.

Prior to Uganda, the Prime Minister visited Rwanda and discussed bilateral relation there.

After finishing his engagements in Uganda, Prime Minister Modi will travel South Africa, where he will attend BRICS summit.