President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has once again emphasized the need for political and economic integration as a pathway to sustainable prosperity for Africa.
Drawing a comparison between the United States and Latin America, the President highlighted the stark economic differences between the two regions, attributing the success of the U.S. to integration and the struggles of Latin America to fragmentation.
“What caused the difference between the USA and Latin America? The answer is political and economic integration versus fragmentation. If you fragment the market, like having small markets for Uganda or Kenya, you face challenges,” he stated.
The President made these remarks at the Ateker Cultural Festival, held at the Soroti City Sports Ground.
Accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, he addressed participants on Wednesday at the event that will run from November 27 to 29, 2024.
This year’s event, themed “Celebrating Shared Heritage, Forging a Path Towards Peace, Prosperity, and Cultural Renaissance,” aimed to promote peace, unity, and economic opportunities among the Ateker community.
The festival brought together Ateker communities from across East Africa, including the Nyangatom of Ethiopia, Topotha, Bari, and Torit of South Sudan, as well as the Iteso, Karamojong, Jie, Dodoth, Kumam, Langi, and Kakwa of Uganda, the Masai of Tanzania, and the Turkana and Masai of Kenya.
Integration as a Path to Strength and Prosperity
President Museveni underscored that integration among related and linked communities ensures strength and prosperity, while fragmentation leads to weakness, poverty, and insecurity. He linked this to the ideological principles of the National Resistance Movement (NRM): patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation, and democracy.
“Patriotism means loving Uganda, Kenya, and Africa for your prosperity. If you prioritize your tribe over broader unity, you are endangering your tribe’s interests. The internal market of a single country is not enough; Africa needs a unified market,” he asserted.
Museveni also highlighted the importance of socio-economic transformation, urging communities to shift from subsistence economies to money economies. He stressed the role of democracy in ensuring accountability and promoting good leadership.
Pan-African Historical Missions
The President reminded attendees of three historical missions identified by Pan-Africanists: creating prosperity, ensuring strategic security, and fostering “undugu” (brotherhood). He called for unity to achieve these goals and emphasized Africa’s strides, such as the revival of the East African Treaty and the establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).
Museveni praised the Ateker community for exemplifying brotherhood and encouraged them to work with governments to address challenges like water scarcity and insecurity, particularly by disarming and promoting peace.
Cultural Celebration and Collaboration
Vice President Jessica Alupo praised the festival as a celebration of unity and cultural heritage, noting its significance in reconnecting Ateker-speaking communities after over a century of separation. “This festival serves as a testament to our shared traditions, values, and future,” she said, adding that Uganda was honored to host the event for the first time.
Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, patron of the Ateker people, commended President Museveni for his leadership in making the event possible. He described the festival as a reflection of resilience and the enduring spirit of African communities.
Other speakers, including the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, and the Iteso Cultural Union Paramount Chief, Papa Paul Sande Emolot, echoed calls for unity and highlighted the festival’s potential to foster peace and economic development.
The festival drew attendance from government officials, Members of Parliament, cultural and religious leaders, and members of the diplomatic community. It served as a vibrant platform for celebrating shared heritage while advancing discussions on unity and development in Africa.
