President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to unite around shared prosperity, industrialization and value addition and warned that the world is once again being intoxicated with wrong ideas.,
Delivering the keynote address during the 19th NAM Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau at Speke Resort Munyonyo, President Museveni emphasized that understanding the balance between production and consumption is crucial for global economic stability.
“When China, India, and other Asian countries modernized, the price of steel rose from 200 to 900 dollars per ton. Why should you worry that another country is out of poverty? Why would you want to do business with a poor man? Business is both production and consumption,” Museveni remarked.
Held under the theme “For Global Solidarity and Sustainable Development,” the meeting brought together representatives from over 120 member states and observers to discuss how NAM can promote peace, cooperation, and equitable growth amid rising global tensions.
Museveni noted that Africa’s GDP remains small compared to its population and potential, urging countries to accelerate industrialization and value addition to transform livelihoods.
“Our continent must move beyond being a source of raw materials. Industrialization is not a choice; it is a necessity if we are to raise incomes and ensure global economic stability,” he said.
The Ugandan leader cautioned against new forms of ideological domination, calling on NAM countries to focus on “minimum common interests” such as trade, investment, tourism, and mutual support, while upholding each nation’s sovereignty and right to choose its own political system.
Museveni traced human progress to two struggles: the oppression of man by nature and the oppression of man by man, noting that science and technology have always been the key drivers of human advancement.
“The human race has been here for four and a half million years. Most of that time, people lived only in Africa. So I like to joke that all of you here are former Africans,” he added, drawing laughter from delegates.
He hailed the founding fathers of the NAM including Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, and Sukarno of Indonesia — for steering neutrality during the Cold War, saying their vision is even more vital today as the world faces renewed geopolitical divisions.
“Our elders did us a great service. Now it is even more important because there’s a lot of intoxication with wrong ideas in the world,” he observed.
On international peace, President Museveni reaffirmed NAM’s commitment to the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, urging for the implementation of the Two-State Solution. He reiterated that during Uganda’s chairmanship, NAM has consistently advocated for the recognition of the State of Palestine and its admission as a full member of the United Nations.
“The Two-State Solution remains the only legitimate path to ending this long-protracted conflict,” Museveni said.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Uganda and Azerbaijan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on visa waivers for Diplomatic and Service/Official Passport holders, aimed at easing the movement of officials between the two countries.
The MoU was signed by Hon. David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs of Uganda, and Hon. Samir Sharifov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, witnessed by Hon. Henry Okello Oryem, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
This follows earlier agreements on Political Consultations between Uganda’s Embassy in Tehran (accredited to Azerbaijan) and Azerbaijani authorities, designed to deepen and strengthen bilateral cooperation.
President Museveni concluded by describing himself as “a third-generation anti-colonial fighter from Africa,” urging the global south to remain united in pursuit of development and self-determination.
“If you think you are right, do good things in your own country and we shall see it but not through coercion. Each country should choose its own social system,” he said.
The 19th NAM Ministerial Meeting is a key platform for reviewing progress since the Kampala Summit of January 2024 where Uganda assumed the Chairmanship of NAM (2024–2027) reaffirming its leadership role in promoting dialogue, peace and South-South cooperation.
