At the African Troop Contributing Countries (ATCC) Summit held at State House Entebbe, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni emphasized the critical need for African nations to reject divisive politics and adopt unity, volunteerism and self-reliance in rebuilding fragile states.
Welcoming the visiting heads of state and delegations, Museveni reflected on Africa’s history of trade, coexistence, and indigenous wealth creation, warning that sectarianism based on tribe, religion, or clan is “poisonous” and undermines the continent’s prosperity.
“In our traditional societies, despite rigid tribal customs, we never imposed our way of life on others. We respected the principle of live and let live,” he said.
Museveni outlined the four ideological pillars that, he said, rescued Uganda from the brink of collapse after decades of conflict: patriotism, Pan-Africanism, social-economic transformation, and democracy.
He noted that prosperity for African communities depends not just on local markets but on the broader East African and African integration.
“You need East Africa and Africa for your prosperity,” he stressed, underlining the importance of Pan-Africanism in today’s interconnected economies.
Turning to Somalia’s ongoing struggles, Museveni advised that building strong volunteer national armies is more sustainable for collapsed states than relying on small, salaried forces.
Drawing from Uganda’s own experience, he recounted how a small group of volunteer fighters, trained in Mozambique in the 1970s, grew into a force that ultimately toppled Idi Amin’s regime in 1979.
“A people with a just cause can build a capable force quickly and affordably,” he said, adding that financial constraints should not be a barrier to national salvation.
He warned against the “under-dozing” approach to Somalia’s security crisis, arguing that a weak Somali National Army and small AMISOM contingents had allowed insecurity to persist.
“Al-Shabaab is a weak force,” Museveni insisted, “but it has been given too much space and time because of insufficient troop deployment.”
The President reaffirmed Uganda’s readiness to contribute more troops if properly funded stressing that African solutions must be prioritized for African problems.
Museveni also urged leaders to resist identity-based politics and work together to build prosperous, democratic, and resilient African nations.
“Those who insist on clan and sectarian organization, whether out of greed or ignorance, are mortal enemies of Africa’s future,” Museveni warned.
