President Yoweri kaguta Museveni has Thursday graced the swearing in ceremony of Tanzania’s President John Magufuli.
The other dignitaries who were in attendance include Former Tanzanian Presidents Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Jakaya Kikwete, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Burundi’s Prime Minister Alaine Bunyoni, Botswana’s VP Slumber Tsogwane and Mozambique Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosário.
Magufuli held up a ceremonial spear and shield to signify the beginning of his presidency, shortly after taking the oath on Thursday morning, amid cheers from Tanzanian citizens.
“Mimi, John Pombe Magufuli nitatimiza kazi kwa bidii na moyo mkunjufu bila uoga, upendeleo wala chuki. (I John Pombe Magufuli, vow to serve Tanzanian citizens diligently without fear, favour or hate).”
He will be deputised by Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Magufuli was sworn in on Thursday for his second term in office in a packed stadium in Dodoma. The president took his oath before Chief Justice Prof Ibrahim Juma at Jamhuri Stadium.
Magufuli officially won a second term, with a landslide victory of more than 84% of the vote. His main opponent, Tundu Lissu, earned 13% of the vote, according to the official count.