Museveni Takes the Helm of the East African Community
Arusha, Tanzania – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda has assumed the Chairmanship of the East African Community (EAC) Summit, succeeding Kenya’s President William Ruto. The transition took place at the conclusion of the EAC Heads of State Summit held at the Arusha International Conference Centre on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Leadership Transition and New Secretary General
The change in leadership places Uganda at the forefront of the regional bloc for the next year, with President Museveni expected to guide the EAC’s agenda focusing on regional integration, economic cooperation, and security initiatives across East Africa. Alongside the chairmanship transfer, the Summit approved the appointment of Ambassador Stephen Patrick Mbundi of the United Republic of Tanzania as the new Secretary General of the East African Community [Uganda Business Council].
Museveni’s Vision for the EAC
In his inaugural address, President Museveni expressed gratitude to regional leaders for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the Community and extended greetings from the people of Uganda. He emphasized that East Africa is at a pivotal moment in its history, urging both leaders and citizens to remain focused on the overarching mission of Africa’s transformation [Daily Express].
Museveni cautioned against repeating historical mistakes that led to colonization and underdevelopment, highlighting the importance of strong leadership, unity, and the adoption of scientific and technological advancements. He reflected on the concept of “Okukonesa”—a metaphor for incomplete or improperly executed processes—to illustrate the need for sustained effort in achieving Africa’s goals [Uganda Business Council].
Key Objectives for Regional Growth
President Museveni underscored the historic mission of the African liberation struggle, centered around liberation, modernization, prosperity, and strategic security. He stressed that achieving these objectives requires “Uhuru na Umoja”—Freedom and Unity—and that even as political independence has largely been achieved, economic integration remains a critical, unfinished task [Daily Star].
He argued that economic integration is essential for building prosperity, noting that production alone is insufficient without access to large markets. Museveni drew parallels with the economic successes of China, India, and South Korea, emphasizing the importance of large internal markets for driving economic growth and industrialization [KT Press].
Summit Outcomes and Future Focus
Beyond the leadership changes, the Summit likewise saw the swearing-in of judges appointed to the East African Court of Justice, the launch of the 7th EAC Development Strategy (2026/27–2030/31), and the launch of the EAC Customs Bond, designed to streamline trade within the region. The Summit also recognized regional youth excellence through the EAC Essay Writing Competition [Uganda Business Council].
Under President Museveni’s leadership, the East African Community is expected to prioritize deepening regional integration, strengthening economic cooperation, and advancing the collective prosperity and security of its over 300 million citizens [KT Press].