Politics 16 June 2026 State House (Uganda)
Museveni Urges Political Integration for Africa's Future Security
President Museveni has emphasized the critical need for political integration across Africa to effectively address future security threats and achieve true development. He stressed that fragmented nations, hampered by colonial borders, cannot singly contend with global powers or ensure regional prosperity. Source: https://statehouse.go.ug/president-museveni-calls-for-political-integration-to-deal-with-future-security-threats
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has strongly advocated for greater political integration among African nations, asserting it is the key to overcoming future security challenges and achieving self-sufficiency. Addressing army officers at the Senior Staff College-Kimaka in Jinja, the President drew parallels to the colonial era, criticizing past African leaders for their inaction as the continent was subjugated.
“The chiefs and kings were here glorifying themselves when their building was falling down,” he stated, highlighting a historical neglect of strategic dangers.
President Museveni underscored that for Uganda, East Africa, and the continent to develop and stand on par with Western nations, two primary historical missions must be fulfilled. The first is ensuring economic prosperity through the integration of the African market. He urged younger generations to pursue economic integration vigorously, warning that a lack of it would lead to significant problems.
The second, and equally crucial, mission is security. The President argued that to engage with global powers like the Americans, Chinese, Russians, and Indians on equal footing, Africa must be able to operate in all domains – land, air, navy, and space. He pointed out that artificial colonial borders prevent individual nations from achieving this, making political integration the only viable solution.
“If Presidents want to remain big fish in the small ponds, then that issue will not be addressed,” he remarked, lamenting the reluctance of some leaders to cede power for the greater good of continental unity.
Discussing other challenges, Museveni touched upon land scarcity in some African countries, attributing it to underdevelopment and an over-reliance on agriculture, unlike developed nations focused on manufacturing and services. He also dismissed sectarian politics based on tribes and religion as ideological bankruptcy, calling identity politics the work of “parasites.”
The President further highlighted the importance of patriotism and Pan-Africanism in fostering markets for African products and identified commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT as key sectors for wealth and job creation in Uganda.
Source: State House Uganda