Africa needs unity, not tribalism—Museveni tells Burundi officers

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged African military and political leaders to abandon identity-based politics and instead embrace ideological clarity, unity, and economic transformation.

The President made the call on April 11, 2025, while addressing a delegation of senior military officers and students from Burundi’s Senior Command and Staff College at State House Entebbe.

The 26-member delegation, led by Col. Jonas Sabushimike, was on a study tour aimed at drawing lessons from Uganda’s political and socio-economic journey under the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Museveni attributed much of Africa’s stagnation to post-independence leaders who focused on tribal, religious, and racial identities instead of addressing structural economic challenges.

“Politics is like medicine. If you make the wrong diagnosis, you will make the wrong prescription, and the patient will not be healed,” he said. “Many post-independence leaders misdiagnosed Africa’s problems by focusing on identity. They asked, ‘What tribe are you? What religion?’ instead of asking, ‘Why are our people poor? Why aren’t we prosperous?”

The President recounted that as a student in the 1960s, he and his peers rejected identity politics and instead pursued solutions to Uganda’s economic and governance issues. That pursuit, he said, shaped the NRM’s three historical missions: achieving prosperity, ensuring strategic security, and fostering African integration.

“We asked ourselves, how can the Baganda, the Banyankole, or any other Ugandans become prosperous? You cannot achieve prosperity by begging. You need to produce a good or a service and sell it,” Museveni said.

He explained that tribalism hampers economic growth because it limits market access. “If I have bananas and milk, and my neighbour has the same, who will buy from whom?” he asked.

Museveni said this understanding led to the adoption of the NRM’s first principle—patriotism—which promotes national unity as a strategy for economic exchange. However, even Uganda’s domestic market proved too small to support long-term growth.

“When Uganda began to stabilise, we found ourselves stuck with surplus maize, milk, sugar, and bananas. That’s when we said, ‘Have you heard of Africa?’” he said, explaining the second principle—Pan-Africanism.

The President said a third principle, socio-economic transformation, was needed to shift citizens from subsistence farming to modern agriculture, manufacturing, and service industries. He also highlighted the importance of democracy as the fourth principle, to promote accountability and responsive leadership.

“These principles of patriotism, Pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy support our three historical missions: prosperity, strategic security, and African unity,” he said. “Together, they have guided us through five phases: recovery, expanding the money economy, diversification, value addition, and entry into the knowledge economy.”

Museveni urged the Burundian officers to reflect on the lessons shared and adapt them to their country’s needs, stressing the importance of ideological clarity in leadership, command, and national transformation.

Brig. Gen. Saad Katemba, Director of Training and Doctrine in the UPDF Land Forces, welcomed the delegation and commended the strong ties between Uganda and Burundi.

“We are honoured to host our brothers and sisters from Burundi. This study tour is an important platform for sharing knowledge, strengthening military diplomacy, and reinforcing our collective commitment to regional peace and development,” he said.

He noted that the theme of the tour was “Harnessing Regional Cooperation for Development and Sustainable Peace,” and that the delegation had visited institutions such as the Ministry of Defence and the Uganda Senior Command and Staff College. Discussions covered regional security, ideology, and the dangers of identity-based politics.

Col. Sabushimike expressed deep appreciation to President Museveni for the warm reception and opportunity to engage with Uganda’s leadership.

“It is a great honour and privilege to be received by Your Excellency… we are truly grateful for your hospitality, especially considering your demanding schedule,” he said.

He praised Uganda’s commitment to regional security and Pan-Africanism, calling the country a “natural destination” for the college’s strategic field study.

“This visit is part of our broader effort to expose our officers to international perspectives on security, governance, and development,” he said. “We chose Uganda precisely because it has become a beacon for Pan-Africanism and a model for economic transformation and peacebuilding.”

He added that Museveni’s “Lecture of Opportunity” had provided valuable insights into the dangers of identity politics and the importance of ideology in governance and leadership.

“We return home with renewed understanding and commitment to building sovereign and prosperous nations. Thank you, Your Excellency, for your generosity, your leadership, and your enduring vision for Africa,” he said.