Four decades since he diagnosed the problem of Africa as leaders who overstay in power, President Yoweri Museveni now says the problem of Africa is sleeping.
But Museveni thinks Africa is beginning to wake up. As he joined his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto for the launch of Phase 2C of the Kisumu–Malaba Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Kisumu, Museveni, aged 81, attempted to discourage complacence among Africans, urging them to utilize their immense economic resources.
The Kisumu-Malaba SGR extension is part of a broader regional railway network linking Mombasa, Nairobi, Naivasha, Kisumu, Malaba, and eventually Kampala. The commencement of works for the 369-kilometer Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway extension was launched in Kibos, Kisumu County. Phase 2B will cover 264 km to Kisumu and Phase 2C and will add 107 km to the Uganda border.
Both Kampala and Nairobi believe that the project, which will consume billions of dollars, will strengthen connectivity to the Port of Mombasa and facilitate trade with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and DR Congo.
Museveni and Ruto launched the project, marking the start of works.
“The railway is part of the rationalisation of our transport system, especially on the Ugandan side which is irrational and wasteful because passengers, light cargo, heavy cargo and petroleum products are all concentrated on the roads,” said Museveni.
He also urged African countries to ensure that they produce high quality yet affordable goods as a way of staying competitive in the world market. He also called on the continent’s leaders to address high transport costs, costs of electricity and financing.
“If Africa does not address these cost pushers, we shall be outpriced and our goods will not be competitive even within Africa,” he added.
Museveni then diagnosed the problem of Africa. When he took power in 1986, he said the problem of Africa was leaders who overstay in power. Now he has been in power for 40 years and says the problem of Africa is sleeping.
“The problem with Africa is sleeping. We love sleeping, but we are slowly waking up,” said Museveni.
Museven touted the launch of the infrastructure project as one that people will remember as historic in years to come, regarding regional cooperation and development as well as Africa’s awakening.
“History will say my grandmother was also here when Africa was waking up,” he said
Ruto told Museveni, “We in Kenya woke up a long time ago. We still have a few who are still asleep, and we have told them to stop sleeping.”
The Ugandan president reportedly works a lot and sleeps less. Although he claims to be ‘poorly paid,’ Museveni is said to have missed work only once in 40 years, as reported Here.
You can see the list of most paid African presidents in our previous report Here.
