Vice President Hamid Ansari has left on a five-day visit to Rwanda and Uganda as part of efforts to build diplomatic relations with the African countries. AIR correspondent reports that the visit will help in building the contemporary relationship between these two countries and India. The Vice President will hold discussions with leaders in the two east African nations on issues of bilateral interest. He is accompanied by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Vijay Sampla, four Members of Parliament and other officials. <br/><br/>On his first leg, Mr Ansari will pay homage at the genocide museum in Kigali, Rwanda and interact with the Indian community there and attend a banquet hosted by their Prime Minister. His visit comes shortly after the visit of President of Rwanda for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January this year. <br/><br/>During his visit to Uganda, the Vice President will be meeting his counterpart and the President of Uganda. Mr Ansari would also interact with the Indian community in Kampala. The Vice President will also address India-Uganda Business Forum. Besides, he would be paying floral tribute to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Jinja. Relations between India and Uganda are characterized by historical cultural linkages, extensive economic and trade interest and a convergence on major bilateral and international issues.