President Yoweri Museveni has linked the growing youth uprisings across Africa to the lack of deliberate wealth creation strategies and failure to fully monetize national resources. He made the remarks while addressing 52 senior military officers from across East and Central Africa at the Senior Command and Staff College in Kimaka, Jinja.
Responding to a question from a Kenyan officer, Museveni emphasized the need for African nations to adopt homegrown economic solutions. He said Uganda has increased participation in the money economy from just 4% at independence to 67% today, proving that transformation is possible with the right focus.
The President stressed that wealth creation must start at household level and highlighted four key sectors for economic growth: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT. He also warned against continued export of raw materials, saying Africa must build its own industries.
Museveni urged for East African and Pan-African economic integration, noting that small national markets limit development. “Gen Z should not riot over local issues—they should demand regional unity,” he said, calling productivity and integration the true path to peace and prosperity
