President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated the importance of food self-sufficiency in Africa, stressing that the continent has the necessary resources to produce and process its own food instead of relying on imports.

Speaking on Monday, February 3, 2025, during a meeting with a delegation of Gabonese military officers at the Senior Command and Staff College in Kimaka, Jinja, Museveni emphasized that Africa must utilize its abundant raw materials to not only achieve food security but also add value to agricultural products.

“Africa should not import food. We have all the resources to grow and process what we need. Instead of exporting raw materials, we should focus on value addition. For instance, exporting raw cotton fetches very little money, yet when processed into finished products like clothes, it generates much higher returns,” Museveni stated.

The President pointed out that Uganda produces enough food to meet its domestic needs, with imports limited to items that are not traditionally part of the local diet.

“In Uganda, we do not import food apart from what some people prefer, like rice and wheat products. Personally, I stick to our traditional foods such as cassava and millet,” he remarked.

The Gabonese officers, who had been undergoing training in Uganda, also visited agricultural institutions to gain insights into modern farming techniques, food security strategies, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Beyond food self-sufficiency, Museveni also underscored the need for African nations to take full responsibility for their security rather than relying on external forces.

“Africans must defend themselves. It is not a good mentality to always depend on others for security. Just like a child must learn to walk on their own, African nations should build strong security systems without waiting for external assistance,” he asserted.

The meeting was attended by officials from Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) and experts from the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), who highlighted Uganda’s efforts in boosting agricultural productivity and economic self-reliance.

Museveni’s call aligns with his long-standing advocacy for African economic independence, urging governments to invest in agriculture, value addition, and local capacity-building to reduce dependence on foreign aid and imports.