13 May 2009

Kampala — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni yesterday delivered a lecture at the University of Dar-es-Salaam on the integration of East Africa and the strategies for the survival of Africa.

Museveni observed that Africa needs to unite in order to insure itself.

Museveni delivered the lecture during his one-day working visit to Tanzania during which he also commissioned the College of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Dar-es-Salaam.

According to a statement issued from State House last evening, Museveni again reaffirmed that the National Resistance Movement Government would not export Uganda's uranium and petroleum oil.

He said the way forward was to generate electricity and refine the oil when it is drilled from the Lake Albert Region in western Uganda.

"The President noted that colonialism collapsed due to conflicts over the captured slaves and the sharing of the colonies to which he attributed the main cause of 1st and 2nd World Wars. He noted that the African people survived the onslaught of colonialism because of their persistent resistance," the statement said.

Museveni saluted former Tanzanian President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere for his contribution towards Uganda's liberation and stability.

He told his audience that Mwalimu Nyerere was a strong advocate of one East African nation.

Nyerere in 1979 sent forces, backed by Ugandan guerrillas, to topple the Idi Amin dictatorial regime.

Museveni noted that Africa's small population of only 900 million in the midst of abundant resources combined with backwardness in technology had contributed to the low development rate.

The President challenged social scientists to find ways to generate electricity when Africa develops.

On the three strategic imperatives for survival and prosperity of the African people, the President said: "We must have economic integration as a big market enables business to thrive."

He said political integration goes hand-in-hand with economic integration.

Museveni was happy to note that the East African Community was revived and was progressing.

He said the region had 127 million people, adding that this had the potential to guarantee the region's future.

Museveni saluted Tanzanians for sustaining the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar.

Later, Museveni awarded certificates of appreciation to former deans.

Dar-es-Salaam University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rwekaza Mukandala saluted the President for sparing his precious time to deliver a lecture at the university

He said the university community treasures the political activism that Museveni promoted between 1967 and 1970 when he was a student at the University of Dar-es-Salaam.

Museveni returned home last evening and was received at Entebbe International Airport by the Head of Public Service, John Mitala, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Julius Odwe and the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija.