President Museveni seemingly became a major topic for discussion among EAC Heads of State as speaker after speaker showered praises on him for his great contribution towards strengthening the East African Community (EAC).
The President who has since returned to Uganda after attending the 24th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State at the Arusha International Conference Center, Tanzania, was hailed as a teacher, a restorer and a unifier.
During the summit, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan commended President Museveni for his outstanding contribution to the regional integration efforts.
“President Museveni has been a teacher, a restorer, and a unifier, guiding our community back to its founding principles,” she said.
Suluhu emphasized President Museveni’s pivotal role in realizing the dreams of the EAC founders, underscoring his leadership in restoring and advancing the aspirations of the community.
“We hail President Museveni for not only succeeding the vision of our forefathers but also for continuously championing the cause of unity and cooperation within the East African region.”
The two-day summit, held under the theme: “Promoting Trade, Sustainable Development, Peace and Security for Improved Livelihoods”, brought together regional leaders to deliberate on key issues affecting the bloc.
The summit, which began on November 29th and concluded on November 30th, 2024, provided a platform for member states to reaffirm their commitment to the goals of the East African Community.
The EAC was revived on November 30, 1999, through the leadership of President Museveni of Uganda, President Daniel arap Moi of Kenya and President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania.
These leaders united to rebuild the EAC, which had collapsed in 1977, emphasizing regional integration to promote economic growth, political stability, and shared prosperity.
Their collective efforts resulted in the signing of the treaty to re-establish the EAC, which came into effect on July 7, 2000, with Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania as founding members.
Today, the community has grown to include eight-member states; Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Somalia representing a combined population of over 300 million people.
The Tanzanian President noted that through President Museveni’s efforts, the EAC has seen remarkable strides towards integration and collective development, fostering a sense of brotherhood among the member states.
Suluhu further expressed her gratitude for Uganda’s commitment to strengthening the bonds of the EAC, stating that this cooperation is essential for ensuring the welfare and prosperity of the people in the region.
In the same vein, as the EAC also celebrated 25 years of progress, President Suluhu urged member countries to continue working together, saying, “Let us protect our community, for our unity is our strength.”
Meanwhile, Kenyan President William Ruto who assumed the Chairmanship of the EAC during the summit, lauded Museveni for his enduring commitment to fostering regional integration and unity within the community.
Ruto highlighted Museveni’s consistent leadership and dedication to advancing the bloc’s vision.
“Mzee Museveni has been a cornerstone of the East African integration journey. His steadfast efforts have not only anchored the aspirations of our forefathers but have also provided a guiding framework for the present and future of the community,” he said.
