Entebbe, Uganda – At the 3rd African Regional Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Emerging Global Challenges, Uganda’s Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa, urged fellow parliamentarians to take responsibility for their future, rather than dwelling on colonialism’s legacy over half a century after independence.
“Africa’s vast resources, including 60% of the world’s arable land, aren’t translating to economic prosperity,” Tayebwa noted, citing food shortages during the Russia-Ukraine war despite the continent’s fertile lands.
Tayebwa highlighted examples of progress, such as Botswana and Ghana’s transparent mineral resource management and Uganda’s President’s decision to export minerals in processed form, ensuring a fairer share for the country.
He emphasized the need to ring-fence natural resource funds for key services like infrastructure, schools, and healthcare, especially in extraction communities.
“By working together and adopting effective strategies, we can unlock Africa’s true potential and create a brighter future for our people,” Tayebwa said.
With Africa’s rich natural resources, from Congo’s rainforests to Nigeria’s oil fields and Ghana’s gold reserves, the continent’s leaders must work together to harness these resources for the benefit of their people.