Sunday, 4 January 2026
By The Pearl of Africa News Desk: In recent statements, Museveni addressed the US–Venezuela crisis and shared insights on Uganda’s youth, highlighting the interconnectedness of global and local issues.
KAMPALA — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said he is closely studying the unfolding confrontation between the United States and Venezuela. He is using the global standoff as a cautionary lesson for Uganda’s youth. Museveni on US–Venezuela crisis and Uganda’s youth shared insights during this tense global situation, highlighting various challenges and opportunities.
Speaking during a wide-ranging dialogue with Uganda’s youth in Kampala on Sunday, Museveni linked international geopolitics, Uganda’s economic direction, and the mindset of the youthful population. He argued that Africa’s biggest weakness is fragmentation in a world increasingly shaped by power blocs.
“People trying to control the world… it is very dangerous,” Museveni warned, adding that global attempts at domination inevitably create instability and resistance.
The President said the crisis between the US and Venezuela, including the dramatic capture of Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro, highlights how vulnerable smaller and divided states can be. This vulnerability is apparent when confronted by powerful nations operating across multiple strategic dimensions.
According to Museveni, modern global power is no longer limited to traditional land warfare but now spans the air, sea, cyberspace, and outer space. This is an advantage only large, well-organized powers possess.
“When you are small and disorganized, you can be pushed around,” he said. “That is why integration is not a luxury for Africa; it is a matter of survival.”
East African Federation Back on the Table
Using the global crisis as a springboard, Museveni renewed his long-standing call for an East African Federation. He argued that unity among regional states would give East Africa the economic weight, security capacity, and political influence needed to protect its interests. Museveni on US–Venezuela crisis and Uganda’s youth emphasized that unity is crucial in gaining strategic advantages.
Museveni on Uganda’s youth dismissed narrow nationalism as outdated. He said African countries acting alone will remain vulnerable in an increasingly competitive and multipolar world.
“You cannot face global powers as small islands,” he said. “The future belongs to big markets, big populations, and coordinated strategy.”
Museveni stressed that Africa’s growing population—projected to make up a quarter of humanity within the next few decades—could be either its greatest strength or its greatest weakness. This would depend on whether the continent organizes itself effectively.
Youth at the Center of the Message
A significant portion of Museveni’s remarks focused on Uganda’s youth, the same group he considers crucial in understanding the US–Venezuela crisis. He described them as energetic but increasingly “confused” about economics, history, and global power.
“I am dying to defog the youth,” the President said, arguing that many young people are distracted by entertainment, social media, and unrealistic expectations about life abroad.
Drawing from personal anecdotes, Museveni reflected on his own youth. He acknowledged that leisure and enjoyment are part of life but warned against excess.
“We also danced, we also enjoyed life,” he said. “But we knew when to fight, when to study, when to work. Today, some of you are dancing all the time.”
He urged young Ugandans to focus on skills development, production, and wealth creation. He said opportunities exist within the country if approached with discipline and long-term thinking. Museveni on US–Venezuela crisis and Uganda’s youth also highlighted education and enterprise as parts of the path forward.
Economy, Skills and Self-Reliance
Museveni defended Uganda’s ongoing shift toward skills-based education, arguing that academic qualifications alone cannot solve unemployment. He emphasized agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and services as sectors capable of absorbing millions of young people.
“The economy is not about slogans,” he said. “It is about production—producing goods and services that people actually need.”
The President criticized what he called a “dependency mentality.” He warned that relying on foreign systems, aid, or migration as solutions to domestic challenges weakens national resilience.
He linked this argument back to the global stage. He pointed to the crisis and suggested that countries without strong internal economies are easily pressured or destabilized by external forces.
Warning on Global Power Games
Museveni’s comments on Venezuela carried a broader philosophical message: that unipolar dominance is unsustainable. He argued that the world is inevitably moving toward multipolarity, with emerging powers challenging long-established ones.
“Hegemony does not last forever,” he said. “Multipolarism is unstoppable. You can delay it, but you cannot stop it.”
In relation to US–Venezuela matters, he cautioned that attempts to enforce global order through force often produce backlash, instability, and long-term insecurity—even for those wielding power.
Political Undertones Ahead of Elections
The dialogue comes at a politically sensitive moment. Uganda is approaching a general election cycle in which young voters will play a decisive role. Museveni’s focus on youth, global awareness, and economic self-reliance reflects a broader effort to frame national debates around stability, experience, and strategic thinking.
Analysts note that by connecting Uganda’s internal challenges to global events, such as Museveni on US–Venezuela crisis, the President is positioning himself as a leader with historical perspective and international insight. He also warns against what he views as emotional or populist politics.
“If you don’t understand the world, the world will shock you,” Museveni said in closing. “Africa must wake up—not tomorrow, but now.”
As global tensions continue to reshape international relations, Museveni’s message was clear. Uganda’s future, and Africa’s place in the world, will depend not only on elections and politics but on unity, economic discipline, and a generation that sees beyond short-term distractions.
