06/Mar/2026 LCC TV NEWS
ENTEBBE, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a powerful call for global justice and economic prosperity, urging world leaders to reject divisive identity politics and pursue dialogue as the path to stability. The President made these remarks while hosting the Muslim community for the annual Iftar dinner at State House Entebbe, an event that underscored themes of unity, reconciliation, and national development .
Speaking to a gathering of Muslim leaders, government officials, and members of Parliament, President Museveni, who also serves as the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), framed his address within the context of a turbulent global landscape. “I would like to use this season of Ramadan to call upon people around the world to work for justice everywhere and for global affluence,” he stated . He warned that conflicts fueled by identity-based politics continue to destabilize regions and severely undermine development .
The President specifically addressed the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, reiterating Uganda’s friendly relations with all involved nations, including Israel, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the US. He revealed that he has engaged in private dialogues with some leaders to encourage peaceful solutions and reiterated his long-standing support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “I have always told the leaders involved that both sides should recognize each other so that the two-state solution can work,” President Museveni said .
Drawing from Uganda’s own history, the President warned against the dangers of sectarian politics. He contrasted the instability of the post-independence era, where political parties were organized along religious lines, with the relative peace Uganda enjoys today by embracing national unity. “Dividing people is short-sighted,” he remarked, using his own background as a cattle keeper to illustrate his point. “As a cattle keeper, I produce milk, beef, and bananas. Whoever buys from me makes me happy. It is not just my tribe that supports my prosperity, it is Ugandans and even the wider region. That is why unity is important” .
President Museveni also made a compelling economic case for global cooperation, urging developed nations to support economic transformation in poorer regions. He argued that a world with widespread affluence benefits everyone through increased trade. “If you are a smart businessman, why would you want to trade with a poor person?” he posed. “If people have income and wealth, they will buy your products. That is why the world should work towards global affluence” .
The theme of the dinner, “Peace, Unity and Reconciliation: Our Divine Mandate for National Building,” was echoed by other high-ranking officials. Vice President Jessica Alupo thanked the President and First Lady for maintaining the tradition of the Iftar dinner and emphasized that without peace, development is impossible. She commended Uganda’s security forces for making the country an “island of peace” in a volatile region .
Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among also addressed the gathering, reassuring the Muslim community of Parliament’s commitment to addressing their concerns. She noted that discussions regarding the establishment of Kadhi courts are currently before Parliament .
The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, congratulated President Museveni on his re-election and praised the government for promoting religious freedom. He provided an update on the Muslim community’s contributions to national development, revealing that the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council has registered imams across the country and established SACCO initiatives to improve their livelihoods. He also noted that Uganda is home to approximately 16,300 mosques, which serve as centers for spiritual guidance and community development. Echoing the President’s concerns, the Mufti called for renewed global efforts toward peace and mutual understanding .
Sheikh Ashraf Mutagubya of the Islamic University in Uganda encouraged Muslims to use the wisdom gained during Ramadan to remain active participants in national development and to promote peace and reconciliation in their communities .
The State House Iftar dinner served as a significant platform for President Museveni to articulate a vision of global interdependence and internal cohesion, reinforcing his administration’s long-standing message that unity is the bedrock of prosperity .
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