President Yoweri Museveni has delivered a bold message to the international community, calling for African global partnerships to be anchored on continental unity under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) rather than outdated colonial ties.
The President made these remarks on Wednesday during a high-profile meeting with the new Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, at State House Entebbe.
President Museveni cautioned against grouping African nations according to their former colonial associations. He emphasized that Africa must approach the global stage as a unified trading bloc.
He said partnering under the AfCFTA remains the primary vehicle for Africa’s economic future adding that Africa reserves the right to choose its global trade partners based on mutual benefit.
The president further said former colonial powers are welcome to partner with Africa, provided they do not undermine or interfere with the continent’s unity and development.
The discussions highlighted innovative approaches to sustainable development.
“We should associate with a united Africa in the context of the Continental Free Trade Area and other trade partners of our choice, rather than clustering Africa depending on former colonial association,” President Museveni said.
He said former colonial powers could partner with Africa as long as such partnerships did not interfere with or undermine the continent’s unity and development.
President Museveni strongly endorsed proposals for a Commonwealth climate fund aimed at expanding alternative energy infrastructure across the continent, specifically targeting solar power generation, hydroelectric energy expansion and nuclear energy development
To catalyze socio-economic transformation, the leaders discussed the introduction of a Youth Aspiration Fund with aim of equipping Africa’s rapidly growing young population with technical expertise and bridging the skills gap so young people can drive local manufacturing, technology, and economic self-reliance.
Secretary-General Botchwey—whom the President warmly welcomed to Uganda, referring to her as “our daughter”—praised Museveni’s Pan-African vision.
She affirmed that Africa sits at the heart of the Commonwealth and must play a central, decisive role in shaping its global future, noting that the Commonwealth must actively step up to address the continent’s distinct challenges.
Botchwey praised the President’s views on Africa’s development and self-reliance, saying Africa was a major part of the Commonwealth and should play a central role in shaping its future.
She said the Commonwealth could not simply look on as the challenges facing Africa persisted, and stressed the need to change the way things are done and promote greater self-reliance on the continent.
Botchwey said the Commonwealth was working to help the AfCFTA function better and remained committed to working with countries and regions in pursuit of shared development.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adonia Ayebare.
