Museveni Receives New Envoys, Pushes for Expanded EAC Common Market
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has advocated for the expansion and strengthening of the East African Common Market to boost regional economic prosperity. He emphasized the removal of trade barriers and protectionist policies, citing the U.S. model of integration.
Why it matters
Regional economic integration is a key driver for development in East Africa, though it faces challenges from protectionist national policies.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for the strengthening of the East African Common Market, warning that protectionist trade policies and high tariffs among regional partners undermine economic integration and deny citizens the benefits of a larger regional market.
The President made the remarks on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at State House, Entebbe, while receiving Letters of Credence from four Heads of Mission-designate, officially accrediting them to represent their respective countries in Uganda.
The envoys who presented their credentials were Kenya’s High Commissioner-designate, Amb. Ababu Namwamba; the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador-designate, Sangho Lee; Tanzania’s High Commissioner-designate, Maj. Gen. Marco Elisha Gaguti; and Namibia’s High Commissioner-designate, Gabriel Pandureni Sinimbo.
During his meeting with Kenya’s High Commissioner-designate, Amb. Namwamba, President Museveni emphasised the need for East African countries to deepen economic integration by removing barriers to trade.
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