President Yoweri Museveni will assume the Chairmanship of the African Peer Review (APR) Forum of Heads of State and Government in February 2026, a position that will place Uganda at the forefront of shaping governance and development priorities across Africa.
President Museveni will succeed President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria and serve a two-year term from February 2026 to February 2028.
The announcement was made at a briefing held at State House Entebbe, attended by a delegation from the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Continental Secretariat, led by Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat.
Uganda’s APRM Focal Point, Amos Lugoloobi, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, was also present.
The APR Forum is the highest decision-making body of the APRM, bringing together African leaders to evaluate governance practices and drive political, economic, and corporate reforms across the continent. Ambassador Quatre outlined Uganda’s upcoming responsibilities, noting that President Museveni will receive the APRM and African Union flags, along with the gavel, from President Tebboune at the handover ceremony.
He will also deliver the inaugural statement as Chairperson and present the Forum’s report at the African Union Summit.
Ambassador Quatre further explained that Uganda’s APRM Focal Point will automatically chair the APRM Focal Points Committee, with the National Governing Council and Secretariat also taking on significant leadership roles at the continental level. “We feel privileged that this great responsibility will be under your stewardship,” she said.
President Museveni welcomed the appointment, describing the APRM as a crucial platform for African leaders to exchange ideas and learn from shared experiences.
He reflected on Africa’s historical challenges in development, emphasizing how fears around sovereignty previously limited collaboration and slowed progress. Drawing parallels with Europe’s intellectual evolution during the Renaissance, Museveni underscored the importance of knowledge sharing in overcoming economic and social challenges.
Looking ahead to his tenure, President Museveni identified market integration as a key priority for the Forum’s agenda, stressing that without guaranteed markets, business expansion remains difficult.
He cautioned against exporting unprocessed raw materials, noting that adding value locally creates jobs and economic growth.
Emphasizing the need for industrial competitiveness, Museveni highlighted the importance of reducing transport costs, electricity expenses, and improving access to affordable credit to support manufacturing.
Uganda’s APRM Focal Point, Amos Lugoloobi, welcomed the preparations, noting that they align with continental initiatives such as the rationalization of African credit rating agencies and the African Migration Governance Conference, already approved by Cabinet.
He confirmed that Kampala will serve as the APRM capital during Uganda’s tenure and expressed optimism that the Forum would focus on addressing challenges hindering social transformation, including weak infrastructure, governance gaps, and insecurity.
Lugoloobi expressed confidence that President Museveni’s leadership would elevate the APRM to new heights and leave a lasting legacy across the continent.
