During the closing of the 19th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala, President Yoweri Museveni emphasized that Uganda and NAM member states are neither pro-West nor pro-East but are pro-themselves as developing countries. He expressed confidence that NAM is on the right path, in contrast to other groups that are self-centered and believe their approach is the only valid one.
Addressing questions about being pro-East or pro-West during political struggles, President Museveni stated, “Do you think I am an idiot? I am pro-myself; not pro-anybody.” He criticized the shallowness of assuming that leaders have no other job except to align with one power or another. Museveni, who officially assumed the rotating three-year chairmanship of NAM from Azerbaijan, praised the group for maintaining its strength since its founding in 1961.
President Museveni highlighted the importance of cooperation among NAM member states, emphasizing that wealth comes from producing and selling goods and services. He encouraged conducive atmospheres for investments in developing countries, asserting that governments must create conditions for investment to thrive.
The Non-Aligned Movement was originally created during the Cold War to allow developing countries to assert independence from major power claims. Comprising 121 countries, including those from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, NAM has since redefined itself as a bloc for countries not formally aligned with any major power. Museveni concluded by reinforcing NAM’s principles of mutual respect, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence.
