President Yoweri Museveni has urged African countries to urgently build a united and strategic defence system, warning that disunity leaves the continent exposed to attacks by powerful global forces.
Speaking during a live social media interaction with young people on Sunday in Kampala , Museveni said recent world events show dangerous gaps in how developing regions protect themselves.
He pointed to the dramatic U.S. military operation in Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by American special forces in Caracas and flown to the United States to face serious charges, including narco-terrorism.
“Look at the gaps I keep talking about. The Americans operate from the sea, air, land and even space. Venezuela has no navy to counter them at sea. They dominate the air, they see you from space, and now they come on land.”, Museveni said.
According to Museveni, this multi-level military dominance gives global powers a clear advantage over countries that are not strategically prepared.
“They are seeing you, but you can’t see them. They are in the ocean, but you are not there,that’s why Africa’s strategic security is a very serious issue.”, he explained.
The President recalled that African leaders had a chance to build strong continental defence structures as far back as 1963. He said leaders like Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere were ready to act, but others chose to protect narrow national interests instead.
“Mwalimu Nyerere was ready to move, but Kenyatta and Obote decided to remain big fish in small ponds,” Museveni said.
The attack on Venezuela has reportedly sent shockwaves across Latin America, with many describing it as a swift and forceful power move by Washington.
Museveni also reminded Africans that the continent has faced similar situations before, citing the 2011 killing of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi during a NATO-led military operation.
For years, the United States and its allies have carried out high-profile missions around the world that resulted in regime change.
Museveni stressed that East Africa and Africa as a whole must unite its capabilities on land, sea, air and space to prevent future aggressions.
He called on young people to take responsibility for securing Africa’s future, saying the next generation must not repeat the mistakes of the past
