Da Dona
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- Dec 16, 2025
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President Yoweri Museveni has called on African countries to prioritize economic transformation as the foundation for lasting peace and security, arguing that strong defense systems can only be sustained by strong economies.
Speaking during the Cohort 4 graduation at the National Defence College-Uganda (NDC-U) in Njeru, Buikwe District on July 11, 2026, the President said Africa's security challenges cannot be solved by military strength alone, but by transforming societies economically, educating citizens, and pursuing regional integration.
Addressing the graduates, who included 20 senior military officers and one civilian from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, who successfully completed the National Security and Strategic Studies Course.Museveni outlined what he described as the pillars for defending Africa, these included
Socio-economic transformation.
"The economy of Uganda must undergo socio-economic transformation whereby all the peasants and the bayaaye must disappear and we have a new society. If not, we shall not be able to defend Africa," Museveni said.
He explained that every citizen should transition into the money economy through commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), noting that national prosperity is essential for financing modern defense capabilities.
Museveni also identified universal education as a key enabler, saying literacy, numeracy, and practical skills are critical to producing a productive population capable of driving economic growth and innovation.
He also highlighted on the importance of economic and political integration across Africa, particularly through initiatives such as the East African Federation. According to the President, regional integration would enable African countries to pool resources and develop advanced defense capabilities across land, air, sea, and space while strengthening their strategic position globally.
To illustrate the importance of safeguarding national wealth, Museveni pointed to Libya's experience following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.
"Libya was once very rich. It had around $90 billion in foreign banks. What happened to that money? We must therefore consider defense after the economy," he said.
Watch 👇 video
The President argued that economic prosperity alone is not enough if a country lacks the capacity to protect its resources and maintain stability, stressing that wealth can quickly be lost in times of conflict and instability.
Museveni concluded that countries should first build productive economies before investing in sophisticated military capabilities, noting that advanced defense systems require a strong economic base, similar to those of major global powers.
The graduation ceremony also underscored the government's commitment to strengthening strategic leadership within the Uganda People's Defence Forces, with the National Defence College continuing to train senior military and civilian leaders to address emerging national, regional, and global security challenges.
Source: UPDF, UBC
Speaking during the Cohort 4 graduation at the National Defence College-Uganda (NDC-U) in Njeru, Buikwe District on July 11, 2026, the President said Africa's security challenges cannot be solved by military strength alone, but by transforming societies economically, educating citizens, and pursuing regional integration.
Addressing the graduates, who included 20 senior military officers and one civilian from the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, who successfully completed the National Security and Strategic Studies Course.Museveni outlined what he described as the pillars for defending Africa, these included
Socio-economic transformation.
"The economy of Uganda must undergo socio-economic transformation whereby all the peasants and the bayaaye must disappear and we have a new society. If not, we shall not be able to defend Africa," Museveni said.
He explained that every citizen should transition into the money economy through commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT), noting that national prosperity is essential for financing modern defense capabilities.
Museveni also identified universal education as a key enabler, saying literacy, numeracy, and practical skills are critical to producing a productive population capable of driving economic growth and innovation.
He also highlighted on the importance of economic and political integration across Africa, particularly through initiatives such as the East African Federation. According to the President, regional integration would enable African countries to pool resources and develop advanced defense capabilities across land, air, sea, and space while strengthening their strategic position globally.
To illustrate the importance of safeguarding national wealth, Museveni pointed to Libya's experience following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.
"Libya was once very rich. It had around $90 billion in foreign banks. What happened to that money? We must therefore consider defense after the economy," he said.
Watch 👇 video
The President argued that economic prosperity alone is not enough if a country lacks the capacity to protect its resources and maintain stability, stressing that wealth can quickly be lost in times of conflict and instability.
Museveni concluded that countries should first build productive economies before investing in sophisticated military capabilities, noting that advanced defense systems require a strong economic base, similar to those of major global powers.
The graduation ceremony also underscored the government's commitment to strengthening strategic leadership within the Uganda People's Defence Forces, with the National Defence College continuing to train senior military and civilian leaders to address emerging national, regional, and global security challenges.
Source: UPDF, UBC
