NAIROBI, Kenya- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is making waves with his call for the creation of an East African Political Federation, a unifying project aimed at driving prosperity among member states.
Speaking passionately at the closing ceremony of the Piny Luo Cultural Festival on Thursday, Museveni outlined a bold vision for regional cooperation, economic transformation, and continental solidarity.
But what does this mean for East Africa, and why is Museveni doubling down on Pan-Africanism as the key to progress?
Museveni’s message is that East African states must move away from dependence on foreign aid and embrace economic self-reliance through expanded markets.
“Can you get prosperity by begging Americans for money? Each country produces a product and sells it. Once you talk of selling, you are talking of market,” Museveni stated, emphasizing the importance of economic interdependence among East African nations.
The proposed federation, he argued, would streamline trade and strengthen local economies, creating a regional powerhouse capable of competing on the global stage.
Addressing Kenyans directly, Museveni called for a shift from tribal affiliations to a broader sense of patriotism. He emphasized that embracing national unity and regional identity would lay the foundation for economic and cultural transformation.
“For prosperity, you must love Kenya, Uganda, or Tanzania,” he explained, adding that patriotism and Pan-Africanism must go hand in hand.
The Ugandan leader highlighted the need for cultural modernization as a cornerstone of socio-economic transformation, urging East Africans to adopt practices that align with contemporary global trends.
Museveni also delved into Africa’s position on global security, pointing to a worrying lag in space exploration and defense innovation.
Comparing Africa’s progress to that of countries like the United States, China, and India, he remarked, “We don’t know what’s happening on the moon… and for us, we are here satisfied. This is very worrying.”
His remarks serve as a wake-up call for African nations to prioritize strategic security and technological advancement.
Museveni tied these concerns to the need for stronger regional unity, which he believes will provide the foundation for addressing emerging threats.
