Politics 2 June 2026 State House (Uganda)
Museveni Urges EU to Champion African Industrialization, Citing 50-Year Partnership Milestone
As Uganda and the European Union celebrate 50 years of partnership, President Yoweri Museveni has called on the EU to support Africa's industrialization and value addition efforts, arguing that the continent's continued export of raw materials hinders its economic progress. Source: https://statehouse.go.ug/president-museveni-pushes-for-value-addition-as-uganda-eu-celebrate-50-years-of-partnership
President Yoweri Museveni has underscored the need for Africa to move beyond exporting raw materials and embrace industrialization, emphasizing this point during a meeting with the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Jan Sadek. The discussion marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Uganda and the EU.
President Museveni highlighted that Africa’s economic stagnation, with a GDP of $3.6 trillion for 1.5 billion people, is largely due to policy failures that perpetuate the export of unprocessed goods. He characterized this as a “very big crime” and a betrayal of the continent’s potential, particularly as many African nations have been independent for decades.
He urged Western partners like the EU and the United States to view Africa as a strategic economic partner, advocating for a richer continent that can foster mutually beneficial trade. “Why shouldn’t you want your partner to be rich so that you can both benefit?” he queried, noting Europe’s capital and Africa’s vast market and untapped potential.
The Ugandan leader assured the EU delegation of Uganda’s commitment to its industrialization and value addition policies, positioning the nation as a model for the continent. He also identified infrastructure development, particularly in the railway sector, as another key area for EU-Africa cooperation to reduce transport costs and enhance competitiveness.
Ambassador Sadek congratulated President Museveni, acknowledging Uganda’s growing regional and international influence. He expressed optimism for future cooperation, noting that the EU-Uganda relationship has evolved from donor aid to a partnership in trade and investment. Trade between the two entities has reportedly grown significantly, from 500 million euros to 1.5 billion euros.
The EU is actively supporting various sectors in Uganda, including infrastructure, education, health, sports, and the creative industry. The Ambassador also announced plans to open a new EU office in Kampala, inviting the President to officiate the ceremony. He showcased Ugandan coffee as a prime example of products with strong market potential in Europe.
This meeting underscored a shared vision for fostering growth and deepening the Uganda-EU partnership in the coming decades, moving towards a more prosperous and industrialized Africa. “We want to remain here for the coming 50 years, reliable and predictable for Uganda in a world that is not always stable,” Ambassador Sadek affirmed.
This report is based on information from the State House Uganda.