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President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has advised Somalia to draw inspiration from Uganda’s National Resistance Movementhighlighting the success of NRM’s ideology in uniting a previously divided state and suggested that Somalia, as the newest member of the East African Community, could benefit from similar strategies.

President Museveni Meeting Prof Sam Tulya Muhika, Ambassador Extra Ordinary and Plenipotentiary to Somalia at State House Entebbe on Monday 15^th January 2024

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has told Somalia to look to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) as a source of inspiration for the prosperity and strategic security of its citizens.

Museveni made the remarks during a meeting with Uganda’s Ambassador to Somalia, Prof. Sam Tulya-Muhika, at State House, Entebbe on Monday 15th January 2024, where he highlighted the NRM’s successful ideology and its role in uniting a previously failed and divided state.

President Museveni suggested that Somalia, the newest member of the East African Community (EAC) could benefit from the NRM’s experience by implementing similar strategies.

“I think Somalia should form a students’ movement like the one we started in the 1960s. We as students saw the need for integration intellectually at that time without any influence from the business groups whatsoever,” he said.

Museveni emphasised the importance of intellectual perception, citing historical figures like Julius Nyerere and Tom Mboya, who championed the East African Federation without succumbing to external pressures.

Reflecting on his experience in training Somali soldiers at Lake Albert, President Museveni highlighted the need for motivated individuals driven by intellectual identity rather than financial gains.

“When we were training Somali soldiers at Lake Albert, I inquired and was told that some students had come back from London to join, so you get those types of people who are now motivated by the identity of Somalia intellectually not because they are making money and let them be part of the movement that is ideologically driven.”

President Museveni meeting Prof Sam Tulya-Muhika, Ambassador Extra-Ordinary and Plenipotentiary to Somalia at State House Entebbe.

Furthermore, Museveni emphasised the role of empowered Somali youth in defending their country both militarily and ideologically.

He also underlined the importance of patriotism and Pan-Africanism as driving forces for national unity and development.

Amb. Muhika expressed gratitude towards President Museveni for the guidance and affirmed that Somalia is already contemplating the establishment of a students’ movement.

Highlighting the potential contribution of Somalis who have studied in Uganda, Muhika expressed optimism about their involvement in the initiative.

“There is a good number of ex-students in Somalia who have studied from Uganda; in Islamic university, Makerere University and others. We can therefore consider using them for this good cause,” he said.

The discussion between the two parties also encompassed diplomatic and political consultations, defence and trade cooperation; signalling a collaborative effort to foster growth and stability in both countries.

Somalia was last year admitted to the East African Community, making it the eighth member of the bloc