By Caroline Nakire
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged African countries to deepen economic integration, saying increased production requires access to larger markets to generate greater prosperity.
Speaking on Sunday at the close of the seven-day Big Fix Holy Spirit Global Conference at Miracle Centre Cathedral in Rubaga, Kampala, President Museveni said Uganda’s experience with increased production had demonstrated the importance of regional and continental markets.
“When Uganda began to stabilise, we found ourselves stuck with surplus maize, milk, sugar and bananas. That’s when we said, ‘Have you heard of Africa?’ Because if Ugandans cannot buy what you produce, your neighbours can,” he said.
President Museveni said the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the East African Common Market offer opportunities for African countries to expand trade and create markets for locally produced goods.
He urged East African countries to make better use of the Common Market, saying protectionist measures and trade barriers can restrict producers and affect consumers.
The President said deeper East African integration could extend to areas such as defence, foreign policy, citizenship and the common market, while individual countries retain responsibility for sectors such as education and agriculture.
He recalled working with former Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa in efforts to strengthen the East African Community.
President Museveni linked regional integration to his emphasis on production and wealth creation, saying prosperity cannot be achieved through dependence on handouts.
“You cannot achieve prosperity by begging. You need to produce a good or a service and sell it. That is how wealth is created,” he said.
He said Uganda’s coffee production had increased from about three million bags to nine million bags, with the country targeting 12 million bags and eventually 20 million bags.
President Museveni also said annual milk production had increased from about 200 million litres in 1986 to almost six billion litres, making access to regional and continental markets increasingly important.
The President said he was encouraged by Pastor Robert Kayanja’s support for African integration and political integration in East Africa.
“I am very happy to hear Pastor Kayanja and other pastors talking about integration of Africa, political integration of East Africa. It is all music to my ears,” President Museveni said.
He also commended Pastor Kayanja for extending his ministry into agricultural production and community development.
President Museveni pointed to Kayanja’s “Plough, Plant, Produce” initiative in Karamoja, which promotes mechanised farming, and Gold Meadow Farm in Kiryandongo, which combines crop and livestock production with employment and skills development.
“I am happy to be here and find Pastor Kayanja showing us what he has done in Karamoja, multiplying the talents, what he has done in Kiryandongo, multiplying his talents and inviting other Christians from different parts of the world,” he said.
The President also thanked Pastor Kayanja and Pastor Jessica Kayanja for bringing together an international network through the conference, saying such gatherings create opportunities for people to exchange ideas and build relationships.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni poses for a group photo with Pastor Robert Kayanja and international delegates after the closing of the Big Fix Holy Spirit Global Conference
He further pledged Shs2 billion to support a newly formed SACCO for pastors.
“Finally, I am glad the pastors have formed a SACCO. Now it’s true, I am going to put Shs2 billion,” he said.
Pastor Kayanja said the conference had attracted participants from countries including the United States, China, Germany, Ukraine, India, Turkey, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia, Botswana, Nigeria, South Sudan, Burundi, Eritrea and Liberia, among others.
He thanked President Museveni for attending the conference and Uganda’s security forces for maintaining an environment that enabled international visitors to participate in the gathering.
Kayanja said the conference theme, “The Big Fix,” reflected the belief that God can restore individuals, communities and nations.
He also announced plans for a Shs5 trillion “Cow Bank Initiative”, which he said would mobilise hundreds of Christians to participate in dairy farming and contribute to increased milk production.
At the close of the conference, President Museveni launched three books, including Smile Karamoja: From Hunger to Hope and Harvest, highlighting agricultural and livelihood initiatives in the Karamoja sub-region.