State House Entebbe, Uganda – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged African leaders to come together to protect the continent’s traditional family values and pursue deeper economic and political integration to ensure Africa’s long-term sovereignty and prosperity.
The President made these remarks at the 3rd African Regional Inter-Parliamentary Conference, held on Friday May 9 2025 under the theme “Towards an African Charter on Family Values and Sovereignty” at State House Entebbe.
The high-level gathering was attended by prominent parliamentary leaders from across Africa, including Rt. Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta from The Gambia, Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba from South Sudan, Rt. Hon. Vital Kamerhe from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rt. Hon. Tsitsi Gezi from Zimbabwe, among others.
President Museveni criticized foreign ideologies, including the Samoa Agreement and global pressures on sexual and reproductive rights, that threaten African family structures and urged nations to resist external impositions counter to African values.
The President warned that such ideologies bring moral disorientation and emphasized the need for African countries to defend their sovereignty.
“To defend the family, we must strengthen Africa economically and politically. There will be no strong families without strong countries.” President Museveni said.
The President highlighted Uganda’s economic resilience despite sanctions imposed after the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Law.
He affirmed that Uganda’s economy grew by over 6% in the two years following the sanctions and is on a trajectory towards double-digit growth due to oil revenues.
President Museveni advocated for Pan-Africanism and full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), warning that without a unified market, African wealth creators would stay impoverished.
“Without a bigger market, wealth creators are suffocated. Prosperity comes from producing goods, selling them, and accessing markets.” President Museveni added.
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, echoed the call for defending sovereignty and values.
She warned against the creeping influence of conditional foreign aid and outlined Uganda’s fully government-funded education reforms aimed at fostering patriotism, responsibility, and reverence for family and God.
“Too often, aid comes with conditions that threaten to redefine our societies. We must protect our children from ideologies that do not reflect our values.” Minister Janet said.
Maama Museveni highlighted ongoing efforts to develop a National Framework for Education on Health and Life-Skills, ensuring African children grow up morally grounded and culturally rooted.
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Among emphasized that family remains the cornerstone of society and urged legislators to stand firm against forces undermining African identity.
“A society without values is simply a reflection of a family without values. Let us legislate for sovereignty, for integrity, and for future generations.” Speaker Among said.
The conference provided a platform for African leaders to discuss and promote the importance of family values, sovereignty, and economic integration in shaping the continent’s future.