Lack of ideology is Somalia's problem - Museveni

President Museveni meeting French delegation at Munyonyo

President Yoweri Museveni has said the challenge that is facing Somalia is not the withdrawal of the African Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) troops, but lack of ideology.

The President made these observations in a meeting he held with the new French Ambassador to Uganda, Ms. Stephanie Rivoal, who led a visiting French Army delegation that included, among others, Gen. Thierry Duquenoy, Commander of the French Forces in Djibouti. The meeting took place on Thursday at Speke Resort Hotel in Munyonyo during which the French guests expressed concern regarding Ethiopian troops withdrawal from Somalia.

"The problem is lack of ideological ideas that have a followership. The problem of Somalia is the wrong idea of ‘clannism' and fundamentalism. Nobody has come up to explain and yet an army and other structures come from followership," he said.

President Museveni also called on the European Union to continue funding the AMISOM troops in the Horn of Africa country so that the forces can continue to ensure peace in there. "If Ethiopia is withdrawing then support the Ugandan troops because we have the leadership and forces," he said.

President Museveni expressed his condolences to the French people over the previous terrorist attacks in France. He, however, cautioned the French against suspecting a whole group of people of wrong doing just because a small group does something wrong.