KAMPALA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Uganda on Wednesday bestowed Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa the highest medal in the east African country for his role in the liberalization struggles.

Mnangagwa, who was the special guest at Uganda's 57th independence anniversary, was given the Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa award by his counterpart, Yoweri Museveni at the colorful celebration held in the eastern district of Sironko.

Museveni decorated his visiting guest over his various roles in the struggle for the liberation and Zimbabwe's independence, which was achieved in 1980 along Zimbabwe's former late president, Robert Mugabe.

The independence ceremony, which included a parade for the military, police, prisons and school children, was also attended by foreign envoys accredited to Uganda and legislators from neighboring Kenya.

Uganda gained independence from British colonial rule on October 9, 1962.