Entebbe — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has held discussions with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, H.E. Pekka Haavisto, on efforts to end the conflict in Sudan, address the humanitarian crisis and promote regional stability.
The meeting, held at State House Entebbe, focused on strengthening dialogue among parties involved in the Sudan conflict, enhancing regional cooperation and supporting initiatives aimed at achieving a sustainable and inclusive peace agreement.
President Museveni said lasting peace in Sudan will require addressing the ideological and political challenges that have contributed to instability, emphasising the need for dialogue, democratic processes and inclusive governance.
The President argued that political disagreements should be resolved through peaceful and democratic means rather than armed confrontation.
“There is an ideological crisis. We have been telling them for years that they should respect the identities of their people. If people do not agree, why don’t they go for elections? Using force to settle political differences is a wrong idea,” President Museveni said.
President Museveni also cautioned against what he described as “sovereignism” in multinational states, saying attempts to impose a single identity on diverse populations have often contributed to recurring political crises.
He called for approaches that recognise the different identities and interests of communities within countries as part of efforts to promote stability.
The President reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to supporting people fleeing conflict, highlighting the country’s refugee policy and its historical links with neighbouring communities.
“These refugees are our people. They are contributing and building Uganda. They come with knowledge, so we don’t mind. They can come because this is their country,” President Museveni said.
He noted that Uganda hosts more than two million refugees, including those from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, adding that many communities across borders share cultural ties.
President Museveni urged all parties involved in the Sudan conflict to prioritise dialogue and called on regional and international actors supporting peace efforts to focus on negotiations rather than confrontation.
For his part, H.E. Pekka Haavisto praised Uganda’s continued support for refugees, describing the country’s open-door policy as an example recognised globally.
“I want to thank Your Excellency for hosting so many Sudanese refugees. Everyone recognises that effort, and the United Nations is very grateful that Uganda has kept its doors open to refugees,” Haavisto said.
The UN envoy said the United Nations continues to engage parties to the Sudan conflict through dialogue, with discussions focusing on humanitarian access, the release of detainees and support for young people affected by the war.
Haavisto also noted that President Museveni’s engagement with different sides involved in the Sudan conflict gives him a unique opportunity to contribute to ongoing peace initiatives.
He expressed optimism that continued dialogue, supported by regional and international partners, could help improve conditions in Sudan and create a path towards lasting peace and stability.
The Sudan conflict has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with millions of people displaced internally and across borders since fighting erupted between rival military factions in 2023.
Uganda remains one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in Africa, providing protection and services to displaced populations from several neighbouring countries.