President Museveni has assumed the chairmanship of the East African Community (EAC) Summit, taking over from Kenya’s William Ruto. Museveni will chair the regional bloc for the next year.
During the EAC summit in Arusha yesterday, leaders also approved the appointment of Ambassador Stephen Patrick Mbundi of Tanzania as the new secretary general of the EAC.
In his remarks as the incoming chairperson, Museveni thanked regional leaders for entrusting him with the responsibility of guiding the community over the next year.
Museveni said East Africa stands at a critical moment in its history and warned against repeating mistakes that previously led to colonisation and underdevelopment.
The president referred to what he described as the challenge of “Okukonesa”, a metaphor drawn from local languages that describes food failing to cook properly because enough heat is not applied for long enough. He said Africa must avoid such mistakes in its development efforts.
Museveni said weak leadership, disunity and failure to adopt science and technology had historically undermined the continent.
He noted that by 1900 almost the entire African continent had fallen under colonial rule largely because African societies were divided and unable to respond strategically to foreign encroachment.
Despite this, he said Africa survived due to the resilience of its people and the emergence of liberation movements across the continent and in the diaspora.
The president said the African liberation struggle was built around four key objectives: liberation, modernisation, prosperity and strategic security.
Museveni said Africa’s combined gross domestic product remains relatively small compared with major global economies. He argued that fragmented markets across the continent limit economic transformation.
Drawing lessons from countries such as China, India and South Korea, he said large internal markets are critical for economic growth and industrialisation.
The president called on the region, especially the youth, to focus on building productive economies, strengthening regional integration and avoiding distractions that could undermine long term development.
Several milestones were marked during the summit.
Leaders witnessed the swearing in of judges appointed to the East African Court of Justice. The meeting also launched the seventh EAC Development Strategy for the period 2026/27 to 2030/31.
The summit also launched the EAC Customs Bond aimed at facilitating trade across the region.
