President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni highlighted that if most efficient East African producers are encouraged and given all the necessary benefits, East Africa and the whole continent at large will be better off.
According to the president, he couldn’t accept attempts to block rice from Tanzania in order to protect inefficient rice growers of Uganda who he said they punish citizens to consume expensive rice yet the neighbors can produce cheaper rice.
“Why block East African products and open our markets for subsidized goods from Europe, China and Brazil, those should be the ones to be blocked because they are adherences in our market” Museveni added.
Museveni made these remarks in his address at the 60th independence cerebrations at Kololo ceremonial grounds in Kampala on Sunday.
The fountain of honor also noted that he couldn’t accept this blockage because if he did Tanzania would in return also block something else from Uganda and that clearly sabotages the future of prosperity for the East African community.
In this address confident Museveni also assured the East African community members that they shouldn’t worry because the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project is unstoppable and nothing will stop it from taking cause.
“If any actor tries to disorganize this project contracts, we shall take action and regard this as betrayal according to relevant laws” he warned.
Museveni also revealed that he accepted the idea of the pipeline which he had initially denied because it will be of importance to the Tanzania brothers and sisters who under patriotic leadership contributed a lot to Africa and Uganda in particular.
Kenya president William Ruto who also attended the cerebrations said that as East African region we can’t share poverty and hunger but instead share opportunity and prosperity which can only be done by eliminating the borders that separate our people in the region.
“It is our place as leaders and citizens of the region to work together in transforming our borders and convert them into bridges such that goods, people and services can move across without difficulty” Ruto articulated.
Ruto also asked entrepreneurs in the region to take advantage of the infrastructures provided by the EAC and the ACFTA to transform the region because this benefits the region as food and opportunities in one country can be accessed by other members.
Salva Kiir the president of South Sudan called for working together as a community for the common good of Africa as this is the only way of achieving the objective of economic prosperity.
“This is our century as East Africa to lift our people out of poverty, chronic diseases and ignorance, we must strive to build a better future for the next generation and collectively overcome foreign control of our affairs” Salva Kiir added.
Evariste Ndayishimiye the president of Burundi who is also the current chairman of East African Community congratulated Uganda upon this milestone and noted that Burundians will never forget the efforts of president Museveni in returning stability and democracy in their country.
The Burundi president also encouraged companies to open up in Burundi as this will make the region market big and better.
“It’s high time we strengthen our region integration and build a more prosperous and powerful EAC having one voice and market” Ndayishimiye added.
Sheikh Mohammad the president of Somalia expressed his gratitude to Uganda for joining them on the frontline in fighting international terrorism of which continues to be a threat to both countries.
Uganda gained her independence from British in 1962 and 2022 marked 60 years since this event happened.
