President Museveni has urged the French government and its businessmen to invest in infrastructure development, trade and mineral development, among other sectors, in Uganda.
According to the President, whereas Africa and Europe have for the last 600 years developed many linkages in various things, including governance, the latter has not fully invested in sectors that will economically transform the continent.
“They don’t have spectacles to see opportunities and utilise them effectively,” he said.
Mr Museveni cited the Chinese whom he said are keen on identifying several development opportunities in Uganda, especially in infrastructure development.
He noted that there is underutilisation of resources in Africa because of sectarianism and promoting identity instead of interests of the people.
The President made the remarks while meeting a delegation from France led by Mr Jules-Armand Niambossou, the French ambassador to Uganda, at State House Entebbe on Tuesday.
Also in the delegation was Mr Remy Rioux, the chief executive officer of the Agence Française de Développement Group of France, and Mr Hatem Chakroun, the director of the French Agency for Development in Uganda.
The President and his guests discussed various issues on strengthening Uganda’s cooperation with France.
As an example, Mr Museveni said people from his home area are cattle keepers who produce milk, beef and matooke.
“They don’t buy their products because they have similar goods but instead their products are bought by the people in Kampala and they too buy goods from Kampala such as clothes,” he said.
Mr Museveni said promoting one’s identity over interests hinders wealth creation as there would be lack of markets for their products.
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