Museveni hosts Trump envoy ahead of swearing-in ceremony

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President Yoweri Museveni has called on the United States and other international partners to support Africa’s industrialisation and value addition drive, saying the continent cannot achieve meaningful economic growth while continuing to export raw materials.

Museveni made the remarks on Monday, May 11, 2026, during a meeting with Nicholas Checker, the United States senior bureau official for African affairs, at State House Entebbe, ahead of the presidential swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.

Checker represented US President Donald Trump at the engagement and was accompanied by the United States Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp.

The meeting came shortly after Museveni held talks with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit on strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional ties between Uganda and South Sudan.

Addressing the visiting delegation, Museveni said Africa’s economy remains significantly smaller than those of the world’s leading economies because most African countries still depend on exporting unprocessed commodities.

“Our advice to the United States and the rest of the world is that Africa needs support in value addition. We should not continue exporting raw materials without processing them,” President Museveni said.

He cited products such as coffee, crude oil and minerals, arguing that failure to process them locally continues to deny African countries employment opportunities and higher export earnings.

“If you export coffee without processing it, you lose a lot of money. The same applies to oil and minerals. Value addition is the key to increasing Africa’s purchasing power and prosperity,” he said.

Museveni noted that despite Africa’s vast natural resources and population, the continent’s economy remains comparatively small. According to recent IMF estimates, Africa’s combined nominal GDP stands at about $3 trillion, while the United States economy exceeds $30 trillion.

He warned that industrialisation would become even more urgent as Africa’s population is projected to approach 2.5 billion people within the next 30 years.

“Africa’s population is expected to reach nearly 2.5 billion people in the next 30 years. We need bigger economies and more purchasing power for our people,” he said.

The President said Uganda’s economic model continues to focus on private sector-led growth and industrial expansion, pointing to gains in dairy production since the National Resistance Movement came to power.

“When the NRM came into government, Uganda did not have enough milk. Today, milk production has greatly increased because of organised production and value addition,” he said.

Museveni also spoke about regional security, saying Uganda has remained actively involved in peacekeeping and stabilisation efforts in Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He cautioned against sectarianism based on religion, saying African liberation movements succeeded because communities united across religious lines.

“During the anti-colonial struggle, Africans were united. We should not allow divisions based on religion to weaken us,” he said.

Checker conveyed greetings from President Trump and commended Uganda for its contribution to regional peacekeeping efforts.

“I want to thank Uganda for the important role it continues to play in peacekeeping efforts in the region, especially in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said.

He also welcomed continued cooperation between Uganda and the United States in health and economic development.

Ambassador Popp, who is concluding his three-year diplomatic tour in Uganda, thanked Museveni and Ugandans for the support extended to him during his tenure.

“Uganda has truly won my heart. It has been an honour to work with your government and the people of Uganda,” Popp said.

He added that the United States remained committed to strengthening ties with Uganda in trade, investment and regional security cooperation.

The meeting was attended by foreign affairs state minister, Okello Oryem, Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States, Robie Kakonge and other officials.