MAYUGE, Uganda — Just days after sparking a diplomatic storm by claiming the Indian Ocean belongs to him, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has floated a radical new proposal: the creation of a unified East African Federation Military.
Speaking during a radio address from State Lodge Mayuge, the veteran leader argued that East African nations; including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) — must merge their armed forces to create a “center of gravity” capable of defending the region from foreign invaders.
“We need a center of gravity”
Museveni’s proposal envisions a massive, consolidated military force that would replace the independent defense systems of the eight East African Community (EAC) member states.
He argued that individually, African nations are too weak to resist global superpowers.
“The formation of the East African Federation would bring together our countries here and it would be a very strong force, even the military,” Museveni stated.
He cited the fall of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi as a cautionary tale of what happens when African nations fail to unite.
“Who can rescue Africa now? Who can? The other time Libya was attacked by foreigners, and we were just here looking. Therefore, in order to guarantee our future, we need to look at the issue of the political integration,” he added.
Timing raises eyebrows in Nairobi
The proposal comes at a time of heightened sensitivity. Only last week, President Museveni made controversial remarks threatening potential conflict over Uganda’s lack of access to the sea, stating, “The Indian Ocean is mine… In the future, we may have wars.”
These comments reportedly prompted a swift diplomatic intervention from Nairobi. On Friday, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi traveled to Mayuge to meet with President Museveni.
Also Read: Museveni clarifies Indian Ocean war talk, denies plans to attack Kenya over landlocked status
While the official statement from Mudavadi’s office emphasized that the two leaders were “building bridges,” analysts view the meeting as a move to de-escalate tensions following Museveni’s expansionist rhetoric.
A divided response
The “Super Army” concept has drawn mixed reactions.
Supporters see it as the ultimate step toward the long-dreamed East African Federation, a political superstate that would reshape the continent.
However, critics in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam remain skeptical, viewing it as an attempt by the Ugandan leader to extend his influence over regional security protocols.
As the debate heats up online, questions remain: Would Kenya or Tanzania ever agree to surrender command of their defense forces to a regional body?
For now, the proposal remains a bold vision from the region’s longest-serving leader.
