Editorial
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Friday called on African military and political leaders to reject identity-based politics and instead embrace ideological clarity, unity, and economic transformation.
The President was addressing a team of senior military officers and students from the Burundi Senior Command and Staff College who visited him at State House Entebbe.
The group of 26 officers, led by Col. Jonas Sabushimike, had come to draw lessons from Uganda’s political and socio-economic journey under the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Drawing on decades of political leadership and revolutionary experience, President Museveni emphasized that much of Africa’s stagnation has stemmed from a flawed approach to politics, one based on tribal, religious, or racial identity.
“Politics is like medicine. If you make the wrong diagnosis, you will make the wrong prescription, and the patient will not be healed. Many post-independence leaders misdiagnosed Africa’s problems by focusing on identity. They asked, ‘What tribe are you? What religion?’ instead of asking, ‘Why are our people poor? Why aren’t we prosperous?” he said.
The President explained that even within ethnic groups, prosperity cannot be achieved if everyone produces the same goods without an external market.
On his part, Col. Sabushimike expressed deep appreciation to President Museveni for the warm reception and the opportunity to engage with Uganda’s leadership.
“It is a great honour and privilege to be received by Your Excellency. On behalf of the Commandant of the College, we are truly grateful for your hospitality, especially considering your demanding schedule,” he said.
Col. Sabushimike noted that Uganda’s commitment to regional cooperation, security, and Pan-African ideas made it a natural destination for the college’s strategic field study.
He praised the country’s role in championing socio-economic transformation and its efforts to foster lasting peace and stability across the region.
