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Museveni calls for political integration to deal with future security threats
During the lecture, President Museveni, who is also Commander-in-Chief (C-i-C) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), informed the officers that for the last 60 years, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been reminding the citizens of the historical missions needed by Uganda, East Africa and Africa at large to develop and be at par with the Western countries.
On the conflicts in the Middle East and global implications on East Africa, President Museveni said the conflicts have less impact because Africa as a continent has everything, and it’s up to the Africans to put the resources into good use. (Credit: PPU)
By: Admin ., Journalist @New Vision
JINJA - President Yoweri Museveni has criticised the past African leaders in the colonial era, whom he said just looked on when the continent was being taken over by colonialists and attributed part of Africa's problems to their selfishness.
“The chiefs and kings were here glorifying themselves when their building was falling down. This strategic danger was known but neglected by kings and chiefs,” he said on Tuesday, June 16th, while delivering a lecture of opportunity to army officers at the Senior Staff College-Kimaka, Jinja.
The President also underscored the critical role of Patriotism and Pan-Africanism in promoting markets for the country's products.
The course comprises 52 students; 38 of these are Ugandans while the 14 are from other friendly countries, including Burundi, Egypt, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan and Tanzania.
During the lecture, President Museveni, who is also Commander-in-Chief (C-i-C) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), informed the officers that for the last 60 years, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been reminding the citizens of the historical missions needed by Uganda, East Africa and Africa at large to develop and be at par with the Western countries.
“The first historical mission is to ensure the prosperity of our people. We have told you that one of the factors to help you prosper is the economic integration of the African market.
We have been struggling with it, so you, the young people, should continue with it instead of dancing pakachini and watching European football. If we don't integrate, we shall be in problems, you people,” he said.
A release from the Presidential Press Unit states that, according to President Museveni, in order for East Africa or Africa at large to safeguard itself from future threats, it needs to politically integrate.
“The first historical mission is to ensure the prosperity of our people. We have told you that one of the factors to help you prosper is the economic integration of the African market.
We have been struggling with it, so you, the young people, should continue with it instead of dancing pakachini and watching European football. If we don't integrate, we shall be in problems, you people,” he said.
A release from the Presidential Press Unit states that, according to President Museveni, in order for East Africa or Africa at large to safeguard itself from future threats, it needs to politically integrate.
“Security is the second historical mission. How can we go to the moon? We must go to the moon and find the Americans there, find the Chinese, Russians and Indians, and we tell them that this also belongs to us. If you're not going to be just a Boy Scouts movement and be able to defend Africa, we must be able to operate on land, air, navy and in space, but can Uganda have a space program?
Or can we go to the ocean? No, we are cut off by the irrational colonial borders. That's why the answer is political integration. We have been talking about the East African Integration, but if Presidents want to remain big fish in the small ponds, then that issue will not be addressed,” stated the President.
Museveni also noted that some African countries are facing land shortage due to the growing population. He said this challenge is mainly caused by underdevelopment, whereby majority of the population relies on manual labour and agriculture.
“Land is only crucial for agriculture, but in a money economy, many people are in manufacturing and services, and a few are in agriculture.”
On the conflicts in the Middle East and global implications on East Africa, President Museveni said the conflicts have less impact because Africa as a continent has everything, and it’s up to the Africans to put the resources into good use.
The President also underscored the critical role of Patriotism and Pan-Africanism in promoting markets for the country's products.
On sectarianism of tribes and religion, President Museveni described the narrative as ideological bankruptcy.
“The politics of identity is politics of parasites,” he stressed.
On job creation, President Museveni informed the officers that Uganda has four sectors of the economy which are helping its citizens to create wealth and jobs, which include commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT.
The Commandant of the Senior Staff College-Kimaka, Brig Gen. Kabango Michael, hailed President Museveni for his visionary and strategic leadership, which has guided Uganda on the path of peace, stability and prosperity.
“Your presence today is a great inspiration to both the faculty and the students who are gathered here,” he said.
“The course before you, sir, is intake 21-2025/2026, which commenced on 8th July 2025, and they are due to graduate on the 2nd July 2026.”
Or can we go to the ocean? No, we are cut off by the irrational colonial borders. That's why the answer is political integration. We have been talking about the East African Integration, but if Presidents want to remain big fish in the small ponds, then that issue will not be addressed,” stated the President.
Museveni also noted that some African countries are facing land shortage due to the growing population. He said this challenge is mainly caused by underdevelopment, whereby majority of the population relies on manual labour and agriculture.
“Land is only crucial for agriculture, but in a money economy, many people are in manufacturing and services, and a few are in agriculture.”
On the conflicts in the Middle East and global implications on East Africa, President Museveni said the conflicts have less impact because Africa as a continent has everything, and it’s up to the Africans to put the resources into good use.
The President also underscored the critical role of Patriotism and Pan-Africanism in promoting markets for the country's products.
On sectarianism of tribes and religion, President Museveni described the narrative as ideological bankruptcy.
“The politics of identity is politics of parasites,” he stressed.
On job creation, President Museveni informed the officers that Uganda has four sectors of the economy which are helping its citizens to create wealth and jobs, which include commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and ICT.
The Commandant of the Senior Staff College-Kimaka, Brig Gen. Kabango Michael, hailed President Museveni for his visionary and strategic leadership, which has guided Uganda on the path of peace, stability and prosperity.
“Your presence today is a great inspiration to both the faculty and the students who are gathered here,” he said.
“The course before you, sir, is intake 21-2025/2026, which commenced on 8th July 2025, and they are due to graduate on the 2nd July 2026.”