National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has challenged Africans to take charge of the continent’s destiny, saying Africa is ready for take-off if its people are willing to take the “pilot seat.”
Wetang’ula, who also chairs the East African Community (EAC) Bureau of Speakers, made the remarks in Munyonyo, Kampala, while presiding over a meeting of Speakers and Presiding Officers of National Legislatures of EAC member states.
The gathering was held to mark the 11th UNESCO African Week and the 9th Africa Engineering Conference.
“Through this platform, we reaffirm our collective resolve to advance the principles of regional integration. We underscore our shared commitment to strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and legislative cooperation,” Wetang’ula said.
He stated that the eight EAC nations remain determined to champion progressive laws, promote good governance, and drive inclusive development that reflects the aspirations of their people, ensuring the region stands as a beacon of unity, stability, and prosperity.
“Africa is the richest continent in the world, but with the poorest people,” he noted.
“Engineers can turn Africa’s resources into projects that change lives.”
Uganda’s National Assembly Speaker Anita Among, who delivered President Yoweri Museveni’s address, stressed that Africa’s emancipation depends on industrialisation.
“The government of Uganda has prioritised infrastructural development in key areas of energy and transport to lower the cost of doing business,” she said.
“To make profits in business, we must minimise costs. That is why we have deliberately prioritised infrastructure to build a strong economic base and attract investment in ICT, agriculture, commerce, industry, and services.”
Anita Among pledged to continue rallying Ugandan legislators to support the engineering sector, saying, “Engineers play a critical role, and Africa will benefit immensely from the deliberations of this conference. President Museveni has been at the forefront of championing science, technology, and innovation through a strong legal framework.”
East African Legislative Assembly Speaker Joseph Ntakirutimana lauded the conference, saying it was enhancing Africa’s global profile.
“Let us rotate such forums across our region, Kigali, Congo, South Sudan, Dar es Salaam, and Burundi. We must bring our young people together because they are our future, and engineering is the future of the East African Community,” he said.
