President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has emphasized the importance of unity and diversity on the global stage.
He made the remarks while addressing the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), on Friday.
President Museveni, who welcomed leaders from NAM countries to Uganda, commended the historical significance of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was initiated in 1955 to counter the irrational polarization between Western capitalist countries and Eastern communist nations.
Highlighting the pivotal role of NAM, President Museveni revealed that the movement comprises countries representing 4.46 billion people worldwide. He traced the origins of NAM to the visionary leaders of Indonesia, India, Egypt, and China, who convened in Bandung in 1955.
Reflecting on his generation’s role as the third wave of anti-colonial fighters in the 1960s, President Museveni delved into the study of political economy.
“We were generation three of the anti-colonial fighters. We seriously studied the inter-play of forces that had, ultimately, led Africa into such a calamity. In those studies, we used the instrument of political economy which is a study that helps us to discover the fundamental laws that govern the motion of society, from one social system, to another.” he said
He stressed the critical role of science and technology in societal development and credited NAM for providing a necessary counterforce to the prevailing global polarization.
“The steam engine, the printing Press, electricity, the railway, the auto-mobiles, the aircraft, automation, vaccines, the invention of penicillin, the invention of quinine, etc., ─ enabled Man to cope better and enabled him to harness natural phenomena and items, for the betterment of his life. Our study of political economy of creation and society, therefore, enabled us to discover that the basic primer of changes in society, is the development of science and technology.” he added
President Museveni also discussed the oppressive forces faced by humanity, both from nature and fellow humans. He cited the insightful analysis of Karl Marx, asserting that the era of primitive communalism was the only period free from oppression by fellow humans.
The President highlighted the negative impact of imperialism, colonization, and exploitation, emphasizing the unnecessary nature of these actions driven by greed. He cautioned against the arrogance of oppressors, stating that history shows their eventual defeat by the oppressed.
Addressing contemporary challenges, President Museveni called for a focus on common human problems such as prosperity through trade, scientific advancements, environmental concerns, and counteraction against crime and terrorism.
Expressing dissatisfaction with uni-ideological thinking, President Museveni urged for respect for diverse perspectives and the rejection of chauvinism based on race, religion, tribe, or gender.
President Museveni urged NAM to exercise influence, particularly at the United Nations, to achieve a transformative process for a better common future. He pledged his support for the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement in negotiations for the Pact of the Future, set to take place in New York in September 2024.
The President’s address resonated with a call for unity, diversity, and a collaborative approach to global challenges, setting the tone for the discussions at the NAM Summit.
Comments are closed.