Ethnicity bane of African development, says Uganda  President Museveni

The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni has blamed  poor political organization and ethnic bias for Africa under development.

He said that inability to organise efficient  and effective society and the kgk0ppromotion of ethnicity will continue to retard  Africa’s development except the issues are properly addressed.

President Museveni stated this  at the inaugural lecture  for participants of course 26 of the National Defence College Abuja at the weekend.

Museveni , the Special Guest of Honour and Guest Speaker at the inauguration also blamed African ethnic nationalities of vain pursuit of ethnic superiority complex in the face of vicious underdevelopment.

Speaking on the topic: “Sub-Regional Cooperation and the Stability of Member States: Economic Community of East African States in Perspective”, Museveni said that  Africans are responsible for their woes.

Museveni who was elected President of Uganda in 1986 said Africa as origin of man and civilization needed to take its rightful place in the world stage by taking advantage of its abundant natural and human resources for a leap frog, like China.

Comparing Africa with China, one of the poorest countries 4 decades ago, which he also said originated from Africa, Museveni averred that in 1978 China combined import and export stood at about $8billion, but in 2017 it is worth over $2trillion, making it  one of the largest exporter and fastest growing economies in the world.

Museveni said natural resources does not necessarily guarantee economic and regional security as evident in East Africa and others countries.  Africa’s woes were caused largely by in fighting  over who controls the natural resources, he said.

He called on East African Sub-region and indeed Africa to close ranks and confront their common enemy, as anyone “brandishing ethnic identity is doing disservice to Africa”.

Inaugurating the 133 out of the expected 140 participants, Minister of Defence and Chairman Governing Council of the college, Mansur Dan-Ali, urged them to maximize the opportunity of their nomination to rebrand themselves and contribute quality research-based solutions to the current security challenges in the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, said as an international strategic institution, the college is committed to interrogating the factors that impact on regional security and development with the view to proffering solutions.

Course 26 participants comprised 54 participants from the Nigerian Army; 26 from the Nigerian Navy, 26 from the Nigerian Air force, 4 from the Nigerian Police, 11 from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, including one participant each  from 19 allied countries.

So far a total of 2, 137 officer and civilian participants have graduated from the college since its inception in 1992.