President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated the importance of Africa achieving self-sufficiency in food production and reducing reliance on imports.
Speaking on Monday, during a meeting with Gabonese military officers at the Senior Command and Staff College in Kimaka, Jinja, the President emphasized the need for value addition to agricultural products to boost economic growth.
“Africa should not import food. We have the capacity to grow and process our own food, given our abundant raw materials,” President Museveni stated. He highlighted the economic benefits of processing raw materials locally, using cotton as an example: “If I sell a kilo of cotton, I may earn $1, but if that same kilo is turned into shirts, I could earn up to $20. By exporting raw cotton, we are essentially donating jobs and revenue to other regions, particularly Asia.”
The Gabonese officers, including Major Jason Dimitri Raivire, Captain Stephen Obouba, Captain Stephane Meboung, and Captain Mathieu Collard, have been undergoing advanced training in Uganda. Following their training, they visited several agricultural institutions to observe Uganda’s efforts in enhancing food production, improving farming techniques, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
President Museveni stressed that achieving food self-sufficiency requires robust government policies to harness Africa’s favorable climate and fertile soils.
“In Uganda, we don’t import food except for items not traditionally consumed by our people. I don’t eat rice because I’m not Asian, and I don’t eat bread because I’m not European. I eat cassava and millet, which are our staples. However, some people here prefer rice, and that’s why we import small quantities. Otherwise, we produce enough food to meet our needs,” he explained.
The President also addressed the issue of security, urging African nations to take responsibility for their own defense rather than relying on Western countries.
“Why can’t Africa defend itself? It’s a poor mentality to depend on others. Just as you encourage a child to walk on their own, Africa must learn to stand independently. The West should not discourage self-reliance among its African allies. In Uganda, we don’t rely on foreign troops for our defense. They can train us, but defending our nation is our responsibility,” he asserted.
The meeting was attended by officials from Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and scientists from the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), underscoring the government’s commitment to agricultural development and food security.
President Museveni’s remarks highlighted the dual priorities of achieving economic independence through agriculture and ensuring security through self-reliance, as key pillars for Africa’s progress.
