Museveni Calls for Strong Economies, Political Cohesion to Back Africa’s Defence Forces

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called on African countries to strengthen their economies, political cohesion and regional cooperation as a foundation for sustainable security and effective defence forces.

Museveni made the remarks while closing the inaugural African Conference of Chiefs of Defence Forces on Military Operations Other Than War, held at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

The President told African defence leaders that security could not be viewed separately from economic development, political stability and strategic cooperation, stressing that a strong defence force ultimately depends on a strong national economy.

“A country cannot have a strong and safe defence force without a strong economy,” Museveni said.

He urged African governments to focus on wealth creation through commercial agriculture, industrialisation, services and information and communication technology (ICT), arguing that economic transformation would provide the resources needed to strengthen national security institutions.

Museveni also emphasised the importance of expanding markets for African economies through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and deeper regional integration.

According to the President, greater economic integration would enable African countries to overcome the limitations of small national markets, stimulate production and trade, and strengthen the economic foundations upon which security and development depend.

Defence Forces Must Adapt to Emerging Threats

Museveni further challenged African defence forces to adapt to changing security challenges, particularly emerging and non-traditional threats that increasingly require responses beyond conventional military operations.

He said defence forces should not only protect countries against traditional security threats but should also play a constructive role in maintaining peace and supporting national development.

The President stressed that the relationship between security and economic prosperity was inseparable, warning that efforts to build secure societies could not succeed without addressing the economic and political conditions that influence stability.

“Security and prosperity go together,” he said.

The conference brought together defence and security leaders from across Africa to deliberate on military operations other than war and the evolving role of defence forces in responding to contemporary security challenges.

Museveni thanked the visiting Chiefs of Defence Forces, Intelligence Chiefs and Force Commanders for travelling to Uganda and participating in what he described as an important conference.

He also wished the visiting delegations a good stay in Uganda.

The inaugural conference comes amid growing calls for African countries to strengthen cooperation in addressing complex security challenges, including terrorism, organised crime, political instability, humanitarian emergencies and other threats that require coordinated national, regional and continental responses.

For Museveni, however, the continent's long-term security will ultimately depend not only on military preparedness but also on Africa's ability to build productive economies, strengthen political cohesion and deepen regional cooperation.