By Diana Kintu
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has revealed that Uganda will take on a prominent leadership role in Africa by assuming the managership of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Forum in February 2026. The two-year term, running until February 2028, will see Uganda succeed Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as head of the Forum of Heads of State and Government.
The announcement came during a meeting at State House Entebbe, where President Museveni welcomed a delegation from the APRM Continental Secretariat led by its Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre.
The APRM is a continental platform where African leaders voluntarily assess one another’s governance practices, with the goal of promoting political stability, sustainable economic growth, and regional integration. The Forum, its highest decision-making body, is where critical reforms and shared solutions for governance challenges are discussed.
Speaking after the meeting, President Museveni described Uganda’s upcoming role as a “vital opportunity” to contribute to Africa’s progress. “The APRM is a crucial platform for leaders to exchange ideas and learn from each other. It is an opportunity for Uganda to help shape the future of governance and development across the continent,” he noted in a message shared on his official Twitter account.
Ambassador Quatre outlined the responsibilities of Uganda’s new position, explaining that during the official handover ceremony, President Museveni will receive the APRM and African Union flags as well as a gavel to symbolise the leadership transfer. Uganda’s APRM Focal Point, Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, will also assume managership of the APRM Focal Points Committee, effectively making Kampala the “APRM Capital” during the period of Uganda’s tenure.
Reflecting on the platform’s historical importance, President Museveni said African nations had previously lost valuable time after independence due to isolation and lack of idea-sharing. He likened the APRM to Europe’s Renaissance, describing it as an avenue to “exchange and refine our thinking.”
Looking ahead to his leadership priorities, the President identified market integration as a key focus. He emphasised that African businesses cannot thrive without guaranteed markets. He also underscored the importance of processing raw materials locally to create jobs and increase value. “For every raw material you sell unprocessed, you are donating money and jobs. If you want copper, process it to 99.9% purity, serve local industries, and export the rest,” he said.
In addition, he highlighted the urgent need to reduce production costs, pointing to the importance of low transport costs, affordable electricity, and accessible credit for Africa’s industrial growth.
Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, Uganda’s APRM Focal Point and State Minister for Finance, confirmed that preparations are underway. He suggested that Uganda’s managership should focus on addressing critical barriers to development, including weak infrastructure, governance challenges, and insecurity.
President Museveni concluded by affirming his readiness for the role. “I am very happy and looking forward to this responsibility,” he said. Uganda’s leadership is expected to provide momentum for Africa-led solutions to governance and economic transformation, reinforcing the country’s influence on the continent’s policy direction