‘Freedom Was Won, Unity Is Next’: Museveni Outlines Vision as New EAC Chairperson

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has assumed the chairmanship of the Summit of the East African Community (EAC), using his acceptance remarks to caution African leaders against what he described as the “mis-cooking” of the continent’s revolutionary mission.

In a message following his appointment, Museveni thanked fellow Heads of State of the regional bloc for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the EAC Summit for the coming year. The Ugandan leader emphasized that Africa must avoid repeating historical mistakes that weakened the continent and made it vulnerable to colonization.

“Africa must avoid what I call ‘Okukonesa’—the mis-cooking of the African Revolution,” Museveni said. He noted that disunity, poor leadership, and the failure to embrace science and modern development strategies had historically undermined the continent’s progress.

Reflecting on Africa’s post-colonial journey, Museveni said the continent had already achieved Uhuru—freedom—but must now prioritize Umoja, or unity, as the next phase of its transformation.

The Ugandan leader argued that Africa’s prosperity depends on expanding production and building larger markets, warning that fragmented economies continue to keep the continent poor. According to him, regional integration offers a practical pathway to economic growth and political stability.

Invoking a Luganda proverb, Museveni said: “Omuggo oguli ku mulirano tegugoba ngo,” loosely translated as “the stick in the neighbour’s house cannot chase away the leopard.” He explained that Africa cannot rely on external actors to solve its problems and must instead build strong internal markets through regional cooperation.

Museveni concluded that deeper integration within the EAC and across the continent remains essential, reiterating that the long-term mission of Africa’s liberation struggle remains “Uhuru na Umoja”—Freedom and Unity.