Museveni: Strong defence forces depend on strong economies
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda emphasized that national security and strong defense forces are fundamentally dependent on economic growth. He urged African nations to prioritize industrialization, commercial agriculture, and regional trade integration to ensure stability.
Why it matters
The speech highlights the strategic link between economic development and regional security in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
President Museveni has urged African countries to strengthen their economies and expand regional trade, saying strong defence forces depend on the resources generated through wealth creation.
Museveni said commercial agriculture, industry, services and information and communication technology (ICT) should be prioritised to build economies capable of supporting national security and responding to emerging threats.
“A country cannot have a strong and safe defence force without a strong economy,” Museveni said while closing the inaugural African Conference of Chiefs of Defence Forces on Military Operations Other Than War at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
He said African governments should expand markets through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and regional integration to create more opportunities for businesses and strengthen economic cooperation.
“We must create wealth through commercial agriculture, industry, services and ICT, and provide a bigger market through the AfCFTA and regional integration,” he said on Thursday.
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