Museveni Says Foreigners Influencing Post-Election Violence in Tanzania Are Scared of Uganda’s Oil and Industries

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has accused foreign powers of fueling instability in neighboring Tanzania, warning that external actors are attempting to undermine Africa’s progress out of fear of Uganda’s growing industrial and energy potential.

Speaking during a radio talk show at Mbale State Lodge in Mbale City on Friday, the President said that recent post-election violence in Tanzania is part of a wider plot by European interests seeking to destabilize the region and derail Africa’s independence over its resources.

“Most of these children being misled in Tanzania and other countries are being confused by European powers that are worried about Uganda’s progress. Our industries are growing, our oil is coming — and they want to control Africa’s resources. But I must warn those confusing them that we shall crush them,” Museveni stated.

The President emphasized that Uganda’s success under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has been anchored on peace, unity, and ideological clarity, which have enabled the country to build strong national institutions.

“Number one is peace. We created peace because we don’t believe in sectarian politics. That is why we have been able to build a strong national army capable of defending our country,” he said.

Museveni traced the roots of the NRM back to 1965, explaining that the Movement was born as a response to divisive tribal and religious politics.
“What is important for the people is their needs, not their tribes. Prosperity comes from production and markets, not from tribal identity,” he added.

He reiterated that the NRM’s philosophy is built on four pillars — peace, development, wealth creation, and regional integration — which together have helped steer Uganda toward stability and progress.
“When the earlier sectarian groups collapsed and Amin came in, we decided to fight for a new Uganda built on unity and purpose,” he said.

On development, the President acknowledged that while Uganda has made major strides in infrastructure — including roads, electricity, and schools — poverty persists in some communities due to slow adoption of wealth creation programs.
“Africa has been underpopulated for a long time. People can survive without progressing unless leaders wake them up — that’s what I did with the Banyankore,” Museveni noted.

He urged Ugandans, particularly the youth, to focus on job creation through commercial agriculture, ICT, services, and industries, rather than relying on government employment.
“Before colonialism, Africans had emyooga (talents), but the colonialists diverted people into administration. Jobs come from production, not from government offices,” he emphasized.

Museveni also announced plans to establish a new industrial park in Busumbu, Mbale, to process vermiculite — a mineral critical in satellite technology — as part of efforts to boost local manufacturing.
“We are focusing on four sectors: commercial agriculture, factories, ICT, and services. It is wealth creation that creates jobs,” he said.

The President further advised residents in the mountainous areas of Bugisu to adopt safer farming practices to mitigate disasters such as mudslides.
“We can sit down and agree on how best to use the mountain sustainably,” he advised.

On youth empowerment, Museveni revealed a forthcoming funding scheme for university graduates to support start-ups, organized by zones, and pledged continued government support for value addition in agriculture, especially coffee processing.

Reaffirming his commitment to maintaining peace, he concluded with a stern warning:
“Nobody can disturb our peace. Anybody who tries will be dealt with.”

The interactive session was attended by NRM Secretary General Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, Party Vice Chairperson for Eastern Region Mr. Calvin Echodu, and other regional leaders from the Bugisu Sub-region.