President Museveni urged Commonwealth nations to resist what he termed “evil imperialism” imposed by the West In a bold address at the opening ceremony of the 27th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC2024) in Kampala. The Ugandan leader, known for his defiance towards Western pressure, called for an end to manipulation and lectures, asserting the need to embrace the diverse societies within the Commonwealth.
President Museveni’s speech came on the heels of the United States removing Uganda from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade pact, further emphasizing his longstanding stance against external influence. He criticized attempts by the West to impose their agenda on foreign territories, attributing global crises to such interventions.
“Stop manipulation and lectures to the societies that are different from yours,” Museveni declared, challenging foreign and local actors who seek to monopolize knowledge and oppress others. Reflecting on historical events, he traced the roots of global crises back to Roman imperialism and urged Commonwealth nations to exploit their 2.4 billion population to eradicate chauvinistic ideas.
While acknowledging the negative aspects of interactions between colonizers and the colonized, Museveni highlighted the potential for positive outcomes that should be harnessed for mutual benefits. He stressed the importance of utilizing progress in science and technology for the common good rather than exploiting it for parasitism.
Emphasizing the value of sovereignty, Museveni urged global powers to respect the autonomy of other states. He warned against using knowledge to oppress others, emphasizing that oppressed nations strive to acquire knowledge to catch up and overcome such oppression.
The CSPOC2024, running until January 6 in Uganda’s capital, provides a platform for Commonwealth speakers and presiding officers to discuss shared challenges and opportunities. Museveni’s call for unity against external influence resonates with the theme of promoting mutual respect and collaboration among Commonwealth nations.
