Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has used the recent U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and the reported capture of President Nicolás Maduro to issue a strong warning about Africa’s continued vulnerability to foreign military interference.
According to Museveni, the developments in Venezuela should serve as a strategic wake-up call for African nations, highlighting the urgent need for stronger continental defense capabilities and unity in the face of global military powers.
Africa Still Exposed to External Military Interventions
Speaking on the global security landscape, President Museveni stressed that Africa remains structurally weak and exposed due to the absence of a unified military and strategic framework. He argued that without collective defense mechanisms, African countries risk facing similar foreign interventions under the pretext of restoring order or democracy.
Museveni emphasized that the events in Venezuela demonstrate how powerful nations can project force far beyond their borders, often disregarding sovereignty and international norms.
“We Can Defeat Them in Close Ground Combat”
In a bold statement, the Ugandan leader acknowledged the overwhelming air and naval superiority of the United States, but insisted that such dominance does not automatically guarantee victory on land.
“Even if the Americans dominate in the air and at sea, on the ground, in close combat, we have the capacity to defeat them,” said Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda.
This declaration underscores Museveni’s long-held belief that well-trained and motivated ground forces, familiar with local terrain and supported by popular resistance, can successfully confront technologically superior armies in land-based warfare.
Call for African Unity and Military Self-Reliance
Museveni reiterated his call for greater African unity, particularly in defense and security matters. He argued that only through regional integration, joint military planning, and shared intelligence can Africa effectively deter external military aggression.
The Ugandan president has consistently advocated for stronger regional blocs and even continental defense structures, warning that fragmentation leaves African nations easy targets for foreign powers seeking to advance geopolitical or economic interests.
A Strategic Message to the Continent
By referencing the Venezuela crisis, Museveni sent a clear message: Africa must learn from global events and prepare accordingly. He urged African leaders to invest in defense, strengthen regional alliances, and prioritize sovereignty in international relations.
According to him, failure to do so would leave the continent perpetually vulnerable to external pressure and military intervention.
Joshmishumbi