President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on African political parties to prioritise wealth creation, science, technology and job creation as a pathway to ending poverty and protecting the continent’s independence.
President Museveni made the remarks on Tuesday evening during a fraternal dinner hosted by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat at Kampala Serena Hotel following his swearing-in ceremony earlier in the day.
The dinner attracted delegations from several African political parties and diplomatic representatives who had attended the inauguration ceremony at Kololo Independence Grounds.
Addressing the guests, President Museveni said African political movements remain connected through a shared history of resistance against colonialism and imperialism.
“I thank you for joining us for the inauguration ceremony and for this fraternal dinner. We are linked by history and by the struggle against colonialism and imperialism,” President Museveni said.
The President traced Africa’s colonial experience to historical events dating back to 1453, when the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople, disrupting Europe’s traditional trade routes to Asia.
“That forced Europeans to search for alternative sea routes around Africa. Eventually, by 1900, almost the whole of Africa had been colonised except for a few countries, mainly because of our own weaknesses,” he said.
President Museveni urged African leaders to move beyond what he described as “shallow analysis” and instead focus on addressing the structural causes that left Africa economically weak.
“We should share experiences on how Africa can rectify its historical mistakes and ensure our people harness nature through science, technology and commercial agriculture to get out of poverty,” he said.
He warned that weak economies expose African countries to renewed foreign domination. “If our economies do not perform well, then we shall become vulnerable again,” President Museveni noted.
The President stressed that political liberation alone cannot sustain societies without economic transformation and job creation.
“We must discuss how our people will create wealth, get jobs and improve their standards of living because there is no way political freedom alone can sustain society without economic strength,” he added.
Vice President Jessica Alupo congratulated President Museveni upon his inauguration and thanked political leaders, security agencies and NRM structures for supporting the successful organisation of the ceremony.
“Once again, I warmly congratulate President Museveni upon his swearing-in and inauguration earlier today,” Vice President Alupo said.
She emphasised that political organisations must remain focused on addressing unemployment and poverty among citizens. “We must add wealth creation to our struggle because if we do not, our people will remain trapped in poverty and unemployment,” she said.
Vice President Alupo said government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) are intended to support communities through affordable financing and commercial production.
“There is no way the government alone can create jobs for everybody. Communities must be supported to engage in commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services and small-scale industries,” she added.
She also urged African political leaders to prioritise economic empowerment and security as key pillars for sustainable development.
Meanwhile, Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, Secretary General of Tanzania’s ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), commended Uganda for strengthening Pan-African solidarity through continued engagement with sister political parties across the continent.
“We congratulate President Museveni and the people of Uganda upon this successful inauguration. Uganda continues to play a significant role in promoting African unity and regional integration,” Dr. Migiro said.
She urged African political parties to continue working together to advance economic transformation and ideological clarity among young people.
“Our parties must remain focused on improving the livelihoods of our people through economic cooperation, industrialisation, education and job creation,” she added.
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong welcomed delegates from sister political parties and thanked them for standing in solidarity with Uganda during President Museveni’s inauguration.
“On behalf of the National Resistance Movement Secretariat and the people of Uganda, I thank all our fraternal parties and delegations for honouring our invitation and standing with us during this important occasion,” Todwong said.
He noted that many African ruling parties emerged from liberation struggles aimed at ending colonialism, oppression and underdevelopment.
“Our parties share a common history rooted in the struggle for freedom, dignity and self-determination of the African people,” he said.
Todwong also praised President Museveni for championing Pan-Africanism, regional integration and socio-economic transformation across the continent.