President Museveni has assured the media that the issue of Economic integration is about the common market and Somalia has been having commodities from East African countries even before joining the East African Community (EAC) thus contributing immensely to the market of East Africa.
The President made the remarks on Friday 22nd December 2023 during an interactive session with the media at State House, Entebbe. The President and the journalists discussed a wide range of issues on security, trade, politics, and land, among others.
He also noted that the EAC will be able to deal with the insecurity in the newest member of the community.
“If that is the case why not formalise it? And the issue of insecurity, we shall handle it but meanwhile trade is also going on because even within the war, goods are moving.”
Here, the President was responding to a question raised by Mr. Kungu Adam of Sanyuka TV and Radio 4.
President Museveni also tipped journalists to utilise their media houses for constructive and developmental purposes.
“Radios and other media houses should be talking about important issues like the non-tariff barriers instead of abusing Museveni because that is where your future is. The NRM advised that integration is very vital for your prosperity, but people don’t talk about it; if they don’t abuse Museveni, they are talking about America,” he said.
“You should talk about livelihoods; how do you survive? Those who grow maize will buy that maize, milk and sugar. Then you will build up public opinion in East Africa which will isolate those who don’t see this, but you don’t talk about it, you talk about other things like European football.”
On the issue of standing for Presidency in 2026, the President said they will discuss the matter at the right time.
“However, the opportunity for transition is always there every five years. But the problem is that the NRM has overperformed and people keep voting it back to power,” he said while responding to a question raised by Ms. Elizabeth Kamurungi of Daily Monitor.
During the same session, Ms. Sarah Kagingo of SoftPower News raised an issue of the alleged poor roads in Kampala city but the President advised Ugandans that they should handle the issue of the infrastructural development holistically, explaining that most main roads into and through Kampala are in good state apart from some of the branches.
“If we had concentrated on the centre and we did not have that penetration, would that be good? Assess the issue of the roads holistically.”
The media interaction session was moderated by the Senior Press Secretary to H.E. the President, Mr Sandor Walusimbi and the Deputy Press Secretary to H.E. the President, Mr. Faruk Kirunda.
The meeting was also attended by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa.