Published on 29/11/2024
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on East African leaders to fast-track economic and political integration, emphasizing its critical role in securing the region’s future.
Speaking at State House Entebbe, Museveni hosted Kenya’s Senate Speaker Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi Jeffah and his delegation, urging unity to drive development. He warned that fragmentation could undermine progress and global competitiveness.
The leaders discussed strategies to strengthen regional collaboration and shared aspirations for a prosperous East Africa. Museveni reiterated that integration is not just a choice but a necessity for the region’s survival.
Highlighting the challenges of disjointed efforts, President Museveni expressed disappointment over the reluctance of some East African leaders to embrace integration, which he said has slowed the region’s progress. He emphasized that collaboration among East African states is critical to achieving sustainable development.
President Museveni pointed out that Uganda historically relied on imports from Kenya for essential goods. However, recent advancements in Uganda’s manufacturing sector, including products like processed milk and maize flour, demonstrate the potential of economic self-reliance. Nevertheless, he stressed that broader economic integration is vital to harnessing the strengths of each member state and advancing collective growth.
The President also highlighted economic specialization as a cornerstone of integration.
He advised Ugandans to adopt more sustainable farming practices, such as growing upland rice instead of cultivating rice in environmentally fragile swamps. He suggested that Uganda could import rice from Tanzania in exchange for exporting its own specialized products, creating mutual benefits through trade.
Speaker Kingi expressed deep gratitude to President Museveni for his unwavering commitment to East African unity, emphasizing that integration is the only path to lasting development for the region.
The meeting was also attended by Kenya’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Joash Maangi and some Kenyan senators.
This discussion reaffirmed President Museveni’s vision of a united East Africa, capable of competing on the global stage. His call to action comes at a time when regional unity is crucial for addressing common challenges and unlocking the region’s economic potential.
