Citizens of the World,
My name is General (Rtd) Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda and Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) until 2027. I recently noted a concern raised by the Iranian Ambassador to Uganda, questioning why we have not publicly commented on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
 It is true that we had not yet externalized our long-held views on this complex situation. Fortunately, Uganda maintains friendly and constructive relations with both Israel and Iran, as well as with the United States and other global stakeholders.
As a resistance movement and as a government built on the principles of justice, we reject all forms of identity-based chauvinism—whether rooted in race, tribe, religion, or gender.
Instead, we believe in pursuing politics of legitimate interest, where the needs and rights of all parties are considered and respected. From this perspective, we have observed and engaged with the key actors in the Middle East, highlighting the fundamental mistakes that continue to prolong the conflict.
First, we have consistently advised our Iranian counterparts, especially during my meetings with former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, that their stance of denying Israel’s legitimacy in the Middle East is a mistake. Historically and biblically, Israel is part of that region.
 After the Romans dispersed the Jews from their homeland, they endured suffering in many parts of the world until they began to return through the Zionist Movement.
 When the British, through Lord Balfour in 1924, absurdly proposed Uganda as a Jewish homeland, the Jews wisely rejected the offer and insisted on returning to Palestine—a land with historical and legitimate ties.
The United Nations’ decision to partition Palestine between two peoples was a just solution. It has been wrong for some Arab and Iranian groups to reject that foundation.
Secondly, we must also call out the mistake made by the Israelis. Their consistent rejection of the two-state solution is unacceptable. It is not right to claim that Palestinians have no legitimate presence in that land. In my past conversations with Mzee Benzion Netanyahu, father of the current Prime Minister, I questioned what happened to the biblical tribes like the Jebusites and the Philistines of Gaza. Even if some of these groups vanished over time, others settled in the area during the Jewish diaspora.
Denying their right to exist there is the same flawed logic that Idi Amin used when he expelled Ugandans of Indian origin. We rejected that logic then, and we reject it now.
The third group of mistake-makers is the Western imperialists, particularly the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which orchestrated the 1953 coup that overthrew Iran’s democratically elected leader, Mohammad Mosaddegh.
That selfish action, aimed at controlling Iranian oil, created long-standing resentment that ultimately empowered religious clerics with extremist views. Ironically, when I visited Iran, I found that many leaders were unfamiliar with the ancient Persian history even referenced in the Bible, such as the Medians.
 Fundamentalism—whether Islamic or Christian—continues to be a grave threat to humanity’s progress. History has shown us the devastating consequences, including in Sudan.
The fourth major error is the belief that external military intervention is a sustainable solution to internal conflicts. History offers countless examples of its failure.
From the Catholic Church's attempts to dominate Europe, to Austria-Hungary's repression of the French Revolution’s ideals, to the 14-nation intervention against the Soviet Union—all collapsed, and many of the interveners themselves disappeared.
Force, therefore, should only be used for legitimate self-defense, not aggression. We urge all parties in the Middle East to step back from violence and return to diplomacy grounded in principle.
 Iran and the broader Islamic world should recognize the state of Israel, and Israel must respect the rights of Palestinians through the implementation of a genuine two-state solution.
In conclusion, I appeal to all humanity to remember that we are spiritual people. Perhaps now is the moment to come together in prayer and reflection, and to seek divine wisdom in resolving this long-standing conflict.
Let us humble ourselves and ask God for guidance to do what is right in His eyes. Only He holds the true power and wisdom to lead us toward lasting peace and justice.
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