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During their meeting on Thursday, President Museveni extended his heartfelt congratulations to Youssouf and reiterated Uganda’s unwavering support for the African Union’s mission and goals.

President Museveni in talks with the AU delegation at State House Entebbe.

President Yoweri Museveni met with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, at State House Entebbe.

During their meeting on Thursday, President Museveni warmly congratulated Youssouf on his election and reaffirmed Uganda’s steadfast commitment to supporting the African Union’s vision and objectives.

Youssouf, an experienced diplomat from Djibouti, was elected chairperson of the African Union Commission in February 2025, succeeding Chad’s Moussa Faki Mahamat, who served two consecutive terms.

At the Entebbe meeting, President Museveni praised Youssouf’s appointment, describing it as a significant step forward for regional cohesion and the advancement of Pan-African ideals.

According to a statement from the Presidential Press Unit, President Museveni and his guest also engaged in discussions on critical issues facing the continent, such as peace, security, and the need to reinforce African-led efforts aimed at achieving self-reliance.

President Museveni highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict in Somalia—specifically identity-driven politics and tribalism—which he said have hindered the formation of a unified and stable national army.

Drawing from Uganda’s own experience, President Museveni recalled how volunteer-driven resistance movements formed the backbone of a strong national army, even in the face of scarce resources.

He further underscored the value of prioritizing soldiers’ collective well-being as a cornerstone of military strength.

“You can build a powerful army on a limited budget if soldiers, though modestly paid, have their children educated for free, access to healthcare and housing, and their spouses can secure soft loans for small businesses,” President Museveni explained.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission. 

Youssouf commended Uganda for its steadfast contribution to Somalia’s stability over the past 17 years, emphasizing that greater solidarity from neighboring nations is now more crucial than ever.

“When people asked why we chose to hold this summit in Uganda, I told them that President Museveni is our regional leader and a true Pan-Africanist. There’s no more fitting location than Uganda,” Youssouf remarked.

He is currently attending the Extraordinary Summit of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which began on April 22 and will conclude on April 25, 2025.

The summit, taking place at Mestil Hotel in Kampala, aims to review current efforts in Somalia and develop a strategic roadmap for lasting peace and stability.