Museveni Assumes EAC Chair, Calls for Unity & Economic Transformation
Arusha, Tanzania – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda assumed the chairmanship of the East African Community (EAC) Summit today, , taking over from outgoing chairperson President William Ruto of Kenya. The handover took place at the conclusion of the EAC Heads of State Summit held at the Arusha International Conference Centre in Tanzania.
Alongside the change in leadership, the summit also approved the appointment of Ambassador Stephen Patrick Mbundi of the United Republic of Tanzania as the new Secretary General of the East African Community, signaling a continued commitment to regional cooperation and integration.
In his inaugural address, President Museveni expressed gratitude to fellow regional leaders for entrusting him with guiding the Community over the next year, extending greetings from the people of Uganda. He underscored the critical juncture facing East Africa, urging continued focus on the continent’s broader mission of transformation.
Museveni’s remarks delved into a historical analysis of Africa’s challenges, referencing a concept he termed “Okukonesa” – a local metaphor for improperly cooked food, representing a revolution that fails due to insufficient sustained effort. He cautioned against repeating past mistakes that led to colonization and underdevelopment, pinpointing weak leadership, disunity, and a lack of investment in scientific and technological advancement as key historical impediments.
He recalled the widespread colonial rule across the continent by 1900, attributing it largely to internal divisions among African societies and a failure to strategically counter foreign encroachment. Despite this, he acknowledged the enduring resilience of the African people and the emergence of liberation movements both within Africa and among its diaspora communities.
The Ugandan President outlined four core objectives that underpinned the African liberation struggle: liberation, modernization, prosperity, and strategic security. He emphasized that the foundational principles for achieving these goals remain “Uhuru na Umoja” – Freedom and Unity.
While acknowledging significant progress in achieving political independence, Museveni stressed that the pursuit of unity remains an unfinished task. He argued that economic integration is paramount to fostering prosperity, asserting that production alone is insufficient without access to expansive markets. He highlighted the relatively small combined GDP of Africa compared to major global economies, attributing this to fragmented markets that hinder economic transformation.
Drawing parallels with the economic trajectories of China, India, and South Korea, Museveni emphasized the importance of large internal markets as catalysts for economic growth and industrialization. He therefore called upon regional leaders and citizens, particularly the youth, to prioritize the development of productive economies, strengthen regional integration, and resist distractions that could impede long-term development goals.
Strategic security was also highlighted as a crucial component of national and regional stability. Museveni underscored the need for modern states to possess the capacity to defend themselves across all domains – land, air, sea, and space – while simultaneously collaborating to safeguard regional security.
Museveni paid tribute to the pioneering leaders who championed African unity and liberation, including Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmed Sékou Touré, and Modibo Keïta, asserting that their vision of a unified Africa remains profoundly relevant today. He specifically commended Tanzania for its historical role in advancing regional integration and supporting liberation movements across the continent.
The summit also marked several key milestones, including the swearing-in of judges appointed to the East African Court of Justice, the launch of the 7th EAC Development Strategy (2026/27–2030/31), and the launch of the EAC Customs Bond, designed to streamline trade procedures across the region. The Summit also recognized regional youth excellence through the awarding of winners of the 2024 EAC Essay Writing Competition.
The Summit concluded with the presentation of the official Summit Communiqué by the EAC Secretary General, detailing the key resolutions and decisions adopted by the Heads of State.
Under President Museveni’s leadership, the East African Community is poised to deepen regional integration, strengthen economic cooperation, and advance the collective prosperity and security of its more than 300 million citizens. The coming year will be crucial in determining the pace and direction of these efforts, as the region navigates complex geopolitical and economic challenges.