By Diana N Kintu
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for accelerated regional integration within the East African Community (EAC), emphasising the need for improved infrastructure, enhanced trade cooperation, and the fast-tracking of a common currency to boost economic growth and prosperity across the region.
The President made the remarks during a meeting with the EAC Secretary-General, Mr Stephen Patrick Mbundi, and his delegation at State Lodge, Nakasero. The meeting, attended by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, Rt Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, focused on trade facilitation, infrastructure development, health, financing, staffing challenges within EAC institutions, and the broader regional integration agenda.
Museveni, who currently chairs the EAC, stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation among member states and ensuring the effective implementation of programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of East Africans. He urged the East African Business Council to support, rather than undermine, the growth of the regional market.
“We should engage in a structural way and tell them, please stop misusing the member states to distort the growth of the East African market,” he said.
On infrastructure development, the President reiterated his support for integrated transport systems, particularly the rationalisation of railway and road networks.
“Now, the infrastructure I totally support. We must rationalise the transport system. Railway transport should carry heavy goods and petroleum products, while roads remain for passengers and light cargo,” he stated.
He directed transport authorities and EAC officials to develop practical solutions to strengthen regional connectivity.
“The transport committee should meet and concretise this. I totally support it. I agree. I will tell our Minister of Transport and the Minister for East African Affairs to coordinate and work out all these connections,” he added.
Museveni also welcomed a proposal by the EAC Secretariat requiring non-member countries exporting goods into the East African market to contribute financially to the Community.
“These people who are selling things here, why don’t they contribute? It’s fantastic. I had not thought about it, but I think it is a new and very good idea,” he noted.
Rt Hon. Kadaga underscored the responsibility facing the EAC leadership under Museveni’s chairmanship.
“We have a very heavy burden because you are the Chairperson of the Summit on this continent. You are well known as a champion of integration, so we have an even greater responsibility to deliver for the Community,” she said.
She expressed optimism that significant progress could be achieved during his tenure, particularly regarding the remaining pillars of the integration agenda.
“I am hopeful that during your tenure we shall be able to achieve progress on the remaining pillars, especially political integration and the monetary union,” she added.
A major highlight of the meeting was the discussion on the proposed East African Monetary Union. Secretary-General Mbundi urged Museveni to engage regional central bank governors to expedite progress towards establishing a common currency.
“Your Excellency, our citizens are really suffering because of currency fluctuations. This is a major hindrance to business,” he said.
He proposed a phased approach, suggesting that countries ready to meet the convergence criteria should proceed first, with others joining later.
“Eight countries cannot converge at the same time. If we could start with three or four countries, then the others can join later. Otherwise, we are not doing a good service to the population on the issue of monetary union,” he explained.
Mbundi expressed gratitude for his appointment and pledged to steer the Community towards achieving its integration objectives.
“I am grateful for the confidence and trust the Summit bestowed upon me by unanimously endorsing my nomination as Secretary-General of the East African Community. I am ready to shoulder the responsibility of steering our Community towards the future that the people of East Africa desire,” he said.
He outlined key priorities for his tenure, including strengthening climate resilience, enhancing food security, and expanding access to renewable energy.
“We are focusing on enhancing climate resilience in agriculture through climate-smart practices and improved post-harvest management to strengthen food security. We will also promote climate-resilient water resource management in the Lake Victoria Basin and scale up access to renewable energy,” he added.
The meeting was also attended by the State Minister for East African Community Affairs, Hon. James Magode Ikuya, and officials from the EAC Secretariat.
Source: State House Uganda, June 2026.
H.E. Museveni with other East African Community members at State House, Nakasero