Museveni lectures Zimbabwe army officers on Africa’s path to prosperity

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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has delivered a lecture on economic and strategic transformation to a delegation of officers from Zimbabwe’s National Defence University, emphasising Africa’s need for unity, industrialisation, and self-sufficiency.

President Museveni, earlier today, Wednesday, June 18, addressed 22 officers from Zimbabwe, underscoring the historical friendship between Uganda and Zimbabwe, dating back to the liberation struggles when Robert Mugabe stood with Uganda’s National Resistance Army (NRA).

“The relationship between Uganda and Zimbabwe is fraternal. Even when we were fighting here, Robert Mugabe was with us,” the President remarked during the lecture at State Lodge Nakasero in Kampala city.

President Museveni interacts with army officers from Zimbabwe National Defence University after giving them an opportunity lecture at State House, Nakasero on Wednesday, June 18. (PPU Photo)

The President traced Uganda’s ideological foundation to the 1960s, a time when African politics were dominated by religious, tribal, and sectarian divisions. He explained that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) asked critical questions at that time: such as “Do Africans deserve prosperity? If so, where does prosperity come from? We realised prosperity cannot be achieved through begging or aid. It comes from producing goods and services and selling them to earn income," he added

A media handout from the Presidential Press Unit- PPU states that Museveni argued that tribalism cannot drive prosperity because internal markets become saturated.

Using the example of cattle keepers, he said that no one from the same ethnic grouping in the same region would buy what they themselves also produce.

This, he noted, gave rise to the NRM’s first principle: Patriotism.

Warning that a sectarian army cannot deliver national security, Museveni added, "Love Uganda because you need it for your prosperity".

President Museveni then explained that Uganda’s production had surpassed the internal market, leading to the realisation that Uganda needed regional buyers — which birthed the second principle: Pan-Africanism.

“Love Africa because you need it for your prosperity,” he added.

Officers from Zimbabwe National Defence University listening to President Museveni during an opportunity lecture at State House Nakasero on Wednesday, June 18. (PPU Photo)

(PPU Photo)

The third principle, Socio-Economic Transformation, emphasises modernising African economies by shifting from muscle power to machines and modern technology.

He explained that Uganda’s historical mission is to link its economy to the rest of Africa to ensure prosperity, while achieving strategic security through stronger regional integration to guard against external threats. He added that promoting political integration through federations where possible, would enhance both economic and strategic security.

He warned that development alone was insufficient, citing World War II, where even advanced nations suffered aggression.“That’s why Africa must embrace both economic integration and political federation,” President Museveni advised.

He also criticised African leaders after independence for abandoning these critical historical missions.

Brig. Gen. Francis Chakauya, head of the Zimbabwean delegation, commended President Museveni for his insightful and visionary leadership, noting that the delegation had gained valuable knowledge from the interaction.

Brig. Gen. Wycliffe Keita, the head of Joint Staff - Training and Doctrine Command at the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), led the Ugandan side of the engagement.

The visit underscored Uganda’s continued commitment to sharing its experiences with fellow African nations in the pursuit of shared prosperity and security.