President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema have agreed to deepen cooperation in industrialization, agriculture and value addition during high-level talks at State House Entebbe.

The meeting focused on how African countries can create jobs and wealth by processing their own raw materials instead of exporting them abroad.

President Nguema commended Uganda for supporting the training of Gabonese military cadets, saying his country is ready to send more officers for training.

The two leaders also discussed oil refinery expansion and regional economic cooperation. Museveni said Uganda is working with investors to build a larger refinery to increase local processing capacity.

“We want to process our raw materials ourselves, and this message is now spreading all over Africa,” Museveni said.

On agriculture, Nguema revealed that Gabon has banned chicken imports to boost domestic production and invited Ugandan farmers to invest in the sector.

Museveni said Uganda is ready to cooperate with Gabon in agriculture and value addition, highlighting Uganda’s progress in processed exports such as coffee, tea, dairy products and honey.

The Ugandan leader also emphasized the importance of supporting the private sector as part of Africa’s economic transformation, while encouraging Nguema to remain committed to his reform agenda.

Nguema pledged to continue promoting self-reliance and economic empowerment, saying Gabon draws inspiration from Museveni’s long-standing Pan-African vision.

President Nguema congratulated President Museveni upon his inauguration, describing the occasion as historic and praising his long-standing leadership on the African continent.

He said witnessing Museveni’s swearing-in ceremony was a rare moment and described the Ugandan leader as a freedom fighter and a father figure for Africa.