By Our Staff Reporter

KAMPALA, UGANDA — October 8, 2026
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on African countries to strengthen their economies, promote political unity and expand regional integration, saying these are essential steps towards improving the continent’s defence capabilities and addressing emerging security threats.

The President made the remarks while closing the inaugural Conference of African Defence Chiefs on Military Operations Other Than War at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

The four-day conference, which began on October 5, was hosted by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, under the theme “Strengthening Adaptive Noncombatant Military Response to Emerging Complex Security Threats in Africa.”

Addressing defence chiefs, intelligence leaders and military commanders, President Museveni said African countries cannot achieve lasting security without strong economies, cohesive political systems and strategies that take their geographical positions into account.

He challenged African security planners to consider whether a country can maintain a strong and secure defence force without a strong economy, political stability and the ability to overcome strategic limitations, including being landlocked.

Economic Growth as the Foundation of National Security

President Museveni explained that economic strength begins with wealth creation through the production of goods and services.

He identified commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services, and information and communication technology (ICT) as the four key sectors through which Ugandans can create wealth.

However, he emphasised that increasing production must go hand in hand with securing reliable markets for goods and services.

According to the President, domestic markets can become limited when communities produce similar products, making regional and continental trade important for sustained economic growth.

He said cooperation among Ugandans from different communities allows producers to access wider markets and benefit from the purchasing power of fellow citizens.

Museveni linked this approach to patriotism, one of the founding ideological principles of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the National Resistance Army (NRA) and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).

He argued that citizens should appreciate the importance of their country not only as a place of belonging but also as a foundation for their economic prosperity.

Museveni Pushes for a Pan-African Common Market

The President said Uganda’s growing production of sugar, milk, maize and industrial goods demonstrated the need to expand beyond the domestic market.

He called for stronger Pan-African cooperation and the development of a common African market capable of supporting producers and creating opportunities for businesses across the continent.

Museveni traced the Pan-African movement to the establishment of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa in 1912, stressing that African unity should be pursued as both a political objective and an economic necessity.

He highlighted the importance of the East African common market, the proposed continent-wide free trade framework and political federation initiatives aimed at bringing African countries closer together.

The President said larger regional markets would enable producers to sell more goods, increase production and improve household incomes.

He also questioned the value of political divisions based on tribe and religion when economic cooperation among people from different communities could create greater prosperity.

East African Federation Could Strengthen Military Capacity

President Museveni further argued that economic integration should be accompanied by closer political and security cooperation.

He said the proposed East African Political Federation could strengthen the region’s ability to defend its member states by pooling resources and military capabilities.

According to the President, a future East African federal army could help protect the region across land, maritime, air and space domains.

He observed that individual countries face limitations in responding to complex security challenges, while regional cooperation would enable them to combine resources, expertise and strategic advantages.

Museveni cited Uganda’s landlocked position as an example of why countries need to work together, noting that cooperation with neighbouring states that have access to the sea could improve the region’s collective capacity.

He maintained that African countries would be better positioned to address security challenges if they strengthened both their economic foundations and political relationships.

Private Sector Identified as the Main Engine of Wealth Creation

The President also emphasised the importance of developing clear national strategies for wealth creation.

He said Uganda considers the private sector the principal driver of wealth creation, while government is responsible for providing infrastructure, security and an enabling environment for businesses to operate.

Museveni used a biblical illustration from the Book of John to explain the difference between an owner and a hired shepherd, arguing that people with a direct stake in an enterprise have a stronger incentive to protect and sustain it.

He warned that countries risk economic stagnation and instability when they fail to make the right decisions on wealth creation, political cohesion and national strategy.

UPDF’s Role Beyond Conventional Warfare

President Museveni also highlighted the contribution of the UPDF to national development outside its traditional military responsibilities.

He said the army supports infrastructure development, including the construction of roads, railways, stadia and military barracks. It also participates in agriculture, manufacturing and selected public health interventions.

The President noted that military forces must remain prepared even during peacetime through continuous training and operational readiness.

He also challenged civilian construction companies to improve the quality and efficiency of their work, citing the performance of some UPDF construction projects.

Museveni welcomed the visiting defence chiefs to Uganda and encouraged investors to support Africa’s economic transformation by investing in local industries and purchasing African-made products.

African Defence Chiefs Discuss Emerging Security Threats

The conference brought together defence chiefs from 18 countries, alongside commanders and representatives of several international and regional security missions.

These included the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Participants examined a range of emerging security challenges, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, drone technology, peace support operations, climate change, disaster management, pandemics, border security and the protection of critical infrastructure.

The discussions focused on strengthening military preparedness and cooperation in responding to threats that extend beyond conventional battlefield operations.

The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, said it was an honour for Uganda to host the conference at a time when African countries face increasingly complex security challenges.

He commended Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for promoting discussions on non-traditional security threats, noting that the conference theme was timely given the changing nature of regional and global security risks.

The minister said the meeting provided an important platform for African defence institutions to strengthen cooperation, exchange information and improve their readiness to respond to emerging threats.

The conference concluded with a call for African countries to combine economic development, political unity, technological preparedness and regional cooperation to build stronger defence systems and improve long-term continental security.