Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday paid a courtesy call on Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni during his visit to Uganda for the ongoing Guild Leaders’ Summit at Makerere University. The two leaders engaged in a robust discussion centered on Africa’s future, youth empowerment, and the continent’s path to self-reliance.
Uhuru, who was in Uganda to deliver a keynote address at the summit, briefed President Museveni on his message to young student leaders, where he urged them to rise to the occasion and take charge of shaping Africa’s destiny. In his speech, Uhuru described this period as an “independence moment” for Africa, calling on the youth to become the new generation of freedom warriors tasked with safeguarding the continent’s future.
“Young leaders must recognize that this is an independence moment and that you are officially the freedom warriors of this era. You are the last line of defense in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa for the sake of future generations,” Uhuru told student leaders at Makerere.
Also Read
President Museveni, who later shared his thoughts on their meeting, voiced strong support for Uhuru’s message. He praised the former Kenyan leader’s call for African self-determination and emphasized the role of four key principles—Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Socio-economic Transformation, and Democracy—as the pillars for Africa’s progress.
“I was pleased to hear that these students are keen on what we have been preaching—the four principles—and how they are crucial for their prosperity. I welcome this initiative and will meet with the Guild Leadership Academy to discuss it further,” Museveni said.
The two leaders called on African nations to move away from dependency on foreign aid and instead develop homegrown solutions that address the continent’s unique challenges. Uhuru particularly highlighted the declining influence of donor funding such as USAID as an opportunity for African governments to reassess their economic strategies and focus on sustainable development from within.
“The sunset of USAID has forced a level of economic policy introspection unseen in Africa for decades. The situation calls for a serious rethink in the developmental priorities of African governments,” Uhuru stated.
Uganda’s Vice President, Maj (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, who also attended the summit, echoed the leaders’ sentiments, stressing the need for unity, Pan-African values, and collective effort among young people. She noted that the future of the continent hinges on the resilience and commitment of Africa’s youth to drive transformation and prosperity.
The summit, which brought together young student leaders from across the continent, served as a platform for shaping the next generation of African leadership rooted in self-reliance, continental pride, and shared vision.