Uganda Calls for UN Security Council Reform, Palestine Statehood, and End to Cuba Sanctions

Uganda’s Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo addressed the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), calling for reforms to global governance, stronger international support for peacekeeping and refugee hosting, and renewed commitment to sustainable development.

Speaking on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Alupo emphasized that the UN’s 80th anniversary is a reminder of the importance of multilateralism in solving global challenges. She reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Highlighting Uganda’s role in regional peace, Alupo noted the country’s continued troop contributions in Somalia under the African Union missions, and its mediation efforts in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

She urged the international community to provide predictable funding for peacekeeping missions and support regionally-led peacebuilding initiatives.

On global governance, Uganda pressed for urgent reform of the UN Security Council, demanding permanent representation for Africa.

“Africa must have two seats in the Permanent Category with all rights and privileges and two additional seats in the Non-Permanent category,” she said, citing the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration.

Alupo also reiterated Uganda’s support for the two-state solution in the Middle East, called for an end to the embargo on Cuba, and defended Uganda’s progressive refugee policies. She revealed Uganda currently hosts 1.93 million refugees, but warned that declining international support was straining the country’s resources.

Turning to development, she called for bridging the $4 trillion annual financing gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urging the implementation of global commitments such as the Addis Ababa Action Agenda and Monterrey Consensus.

Alupo also highlighted Uganda’s record in human rights, education, and health, pointing to free universal education, investments in healthcare, and progress in HIV/AIDS management.

As current Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Uganda pledged to advance unity among developing nations and announced it will host the NAM Midterm Ministerial Conference in Kampala from October 15–16, 2025.

Concluding her address, Alupo stressed the need to strengthen multilateralism: “We must redouble our efforts to uphold international cooperation and ensure that the United Nations system is reflective of current realities… Let us commit to leaving no one behind—better together.”