President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has re-emphasized the need to have one government for East Africa.

While addressing Kenyan media on Thursday, May 16, 2024, President Museveni said, “Our ultimate goal is to have one government for East Africa. We are one!”

Museveni emphasized the need for free movement in all African countries.

“Africa is like a house; Kenya is the sitting room; Uganda is the bedroom, etc. Then why does one need permission to leave the bedroom for the sitting room (Visa)? There is no need for visas to travel anywhere in Africa; it should not happen,” Museveni said.

He further echoed the need to address strategic security through political and economic integration.

“Some people are on the moon, and they are looking at us like these insects that eat sugar! How can we (Africa) have this imbalance? We need to address strategic security through political and economic integration,” Museveni said.

He called upon African countries to specialize in comparative advantages by integrating regional markets.

“Africa is rich in countries but poor in everything else! North America has only three countries. Then why can’t we (Africa) specialize in comparative advantages by integrating our markets?” Museveni asked.

His Kenyan counterpart, President William Ruto, said they have used the visit to discuss matters of trade, security, and regional integration, among others.

Museveni arrived in Kenya for a three-day state visit on May 15, 2024, at the invitation of his counterpart, President William Ruto, and was received by Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, the Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary.

The president’s visit aims at strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Uganda and Kenya and exploring new avenues for collaboration and mutual benefits.

Currently, East African countries are united under the East African Community (EAC), which is a regional economic community comprising eight partner states, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, the DRC, and Somalia, which is the last country to join.

Its headquarters are in Arusha, Tanzania.

Recently, Ethiopia expressed interest in joining the Community, a decision yet to be made by the regional body.