President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, along with First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, welcomed His Majesty King Mswati III of Eswatini at Entebbe International Airport. The King, who arrived in Uganda for a three-day State Visit at the invitation of President Museveni, was accompanied by Queen Inkhosikati Make Lamashwama and a high-level delegation.
Upon arrival, King Mswati III received a ceremonial 21-gun salute and inspected a guard of honor presented by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). President Museveni, flanked by ministers and military chiefs, then escorted the King to State House Entebbe, where they held discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between Uganda and Eswatini.
During their meeting, President Museveni shared his vision for African prosperity, emphasizing the need for the continent to produce and sell goods and services. Drawing on his experience as a student activist in the 1960s, a liberation leader, and a head of state, Museveni highlighted the challenges posed by Africa’s fragmented markets, arguing that the continent’s success lies in economic integration.
“The division of the African market is a significant setback,” Museveni warned, noting that Uganda’s internal market of 46 million people is insufficient for true economic growth. He compared Africa’s situation to Latin America, where despite abundant resources, economic fragmentation has led to poverty.
Museveni called for a model where African nations not only produce but also co-own and benefit from their resources, rather than relying on foreign investments that often exploit the continent’s wealth. He cited Uganda’s petroleum sector as an example, where East African nations are invited to co-invest in infrastructure projects like pipelines and refineries.
“It’s not logical that I produce, and you only buy,” Museveni remarked, stressing the importance of shared ownership. He also lauded the East African Community (EAC) for its progress in rebuilding and expanding to include eight member states, advocating for both economic and political integration.
Beyond economic matters, President Museveni underscored the need for a political federation in East Africa, which he views as essential for establishing a strong military defense for the continent. He pointed out the disparity in military capabilities between African nations and global powers like the United States, emphasizing that “Africa must have the capacity to defend itself from all threats.”
King Mswati III echoed Museveni’s call for greater cooperation among African nations, stressing the importance of unity in driving the continent’s development. He expressed gratitude for the warm reception in Uganda and highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two countries, noting that it had been years since their last meeting at a Commonwealth event.
“I bring greetings from the Queen Mother, the government, and the people of Eswatini, and I wish to strengthen our ties further,” King Mswati said. He proposed that Uganda and Eswatini establish regular communication channels to maintain and enhance their partnerships.
King Mswati emphasized the need for African countries to collaborate on key areas such as poverty alleviation, job creation, education, and technological advancement. “If we work together, we can achieve much more. But if one country moves on its own, it cannot go far,” he stated.
He pointed out that Africa possesses abundant natural resources, yet the continent has struggled to produce efficiently due to the exploitation of these resources by foreign entities. He advocated for the sharing of expertise and technology among African nations, citing Uganda’s achievements in crude oil development as an example of successful collaboration.
“Now that we have mastered a lot of technology and expertise, we must take advantage of our resources,” King Mswati urged. He also suggested the establishment of distribution centers and routes to facilitate trade between Uganda and Eswatini.
In terms of regional cooperation, King Mswati proposed increased collaboration between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community, expressing hope for a stronger economic partnership. He also highlighted the cultural similarities between Uganda and Eswatini, proposing cultural festivals to showcase these connections and attract tourists from around the world.
“We should promote our unique cultures, which are similar in many ways, to support tourism and strengthen our bonds,” he added. The King further advocated for the opening of direct flight routes between Eswatini and Uganda to boost tourism and cargo trade.
King Mswati also expressed support for Uganda’s leadership in hosting the African Union’s Humanitarian Agency and congratulated President Museveni on Uganda’s chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement and the G77+China group. He reiterated Eswatini’s willingness to cooperate with Uganda in various sectors, including the export and assembly of electric cars.
The two leaders also discussed enhancing cooperation in transport and infrastructure, calling for expedited processes regarding the creation of a hub in Eswatini for marketing Kiira Motors Corporation’s “Kayoola EVS” electric buses to the SADC region, leveraging the Maputo harbor area.
King Mswati III extended an invitation to President Museveni for a State Visit to Eswatini, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration between the two nations. “Africa needs to work together to achieve economic independence, and our partnership with Uganda is a step in that direction,” he concluded.
During the visit, Uganda and Eswatini further strengthened their ties through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement was signed by Uganda’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem, and Eswatini’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Senator Pholile Shakantu.
Additionally, agriculture ministers from both countries discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the agricultural sector. The Eswatini delegation included high-level officials such as Princess Lindiwe and Manqoba Khumalo, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade, while the Ugandan side was represented by key ministers, including Milly Babirye Babalanda, Minister for the Presidency, Dr. Monica Musenero, Minister for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Francis Mwebesa, Minister of Trade Industry and Cooperatives, and Gen Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport.