Museveni: I Look Forward to Mutually Beneficial Engagement with Trump Administration

President Museveni has congratulated the newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump for yet another historic election victory.  

“H.E Donald Trump President-elect, the USA. Your Excellency, I am writing on behalf of the people of Uganda to congratulate you on the historic victory you achieved on the 8th of November, 2024,” Museveni said in a congratulatory message.

He said by winning both the popular and Electoral College votes, Trump’s victory was a true reflection of the feeling of the majority of citizens in the USA.

“We, the freedom-loving people of Uganda, look forward to mutually beneficial engagement with your administration,” he noted.

“Yours-in-search for peace and mutually beneficial co-operation. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Gen Rtd) President of Uganda,” he concluded.

In January 2018, President Museveni praised Trump for being frank with Africans, saying America had got one of the best presidents ever.

“I love Trump because he tells Africans frankly. The Africans need to solve their problems, the Africans are weak,” Museveni said to laughter during the opening of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Kampala.

In July 2024, President Museveni issued a strong condemnation of an assassination attempt targeting Trump on Saturday, July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

“I condemn this despicable and cowardly assassination attempt that put his life and that of his supporters at risk. As freedom fighters and peace-lovers, we condemn political violence because it threatens democracy wherever it manifests,” said Museveni.

Bilateral relations between the United States and Uganda have been good since Museveni assumed power. Uganda is a strong supporter of the Global War on Terror and the Great Lakes Regional security provider.

The U.S. provides over $970 million in assistance to Uganda each year, with a large chunk being injected into the health sector to provide anti-retroviral treatment for HIV-positive and support efforts to detect and control infectious disease outbreaks.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Uganda’s 2023 Report to the Ugandan People, U.S. aid helps improve educational outcomes, and boost economic growth and agricultural productivity by helping farmers adapt to a changing climate.

The U.S. supports the professionalization of the military and peacekeeping methods and provides food assistance, healthcare, shelter, water infrastructure, sanitation, and access to education and livelihoods for Uganda’s refugee population.