HARARE – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will officially open the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo on Friday, after arriving in Harare on Thursday.

Museveni, accused of persecuting opposition leaders through arbitrary detentions and beatings, was a surprise choice for guest of honour by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Harare calling … An image of Museveni boarding the presidential plane in Uganda before trip to Zimbabwe was released by the presidency

Mnangagwa received the 74-year-old Museveni, in power since 1986, at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Museveni was greeted with a 21-gun-salute by Zimbbabwe’s military before attending a dinner hosted in his honour at State House.

He told guests he first came to Zimbabwe in 1980, then as a minister of the new government following the ouster of tyrant Idi Amin.

The 60th edition of the country’s premier trade showcase, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, got underway on Tuesday under the theme: “Propagating Industrial Growth through Trade and Investment.”

Organisers say 532 exhibitors from 16 countries are taking part this year, with all available space taken.

Stands tour … Vice President Constantino Chiwenga toured stands at the ZITF on Thursday