President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has described the recent actions taken by the United States in Venezuela as a major lesson for Africans, emphasizing the need for unity and prioritizing the continent’s security in a practical and strategic manner.
According to Daily Monitor, President Museveni made the remarks during a discussion with social media users. The statements were shared in an interview he held with online content creators and influencers.
When asked about the key takeaways from the situation in Venezuela, Museveni noted that Africans particularly those in the Great Lakes Region should learn the importance of cooperation and regional integration as a means to build collective defense capabilities against any form of external aggression.
He highlighted that the events in Venezuela expose Africa’s existing security gaps, pointing out that the U.S. launched its intervention through multiple fronts, including land, water, and air operations.
He stated: “You can now understand the gap I am referring to today. The United States has the capacity to conduct military operations on land, at sea, and in the air, while South Americans lack adequate capabilities to defend themselves at sea.”
Museveni further added: “Americans are capable of launching ground, naval, and aerial operations, yet South Americans do not possess strong naval forces.”
He stressed that the lack of maritime defense capacity leaves the region vulnerable, saying: “The United States can launch attacks through the sea, land, and air, but South Americans do not have substantial naval warfare capacity.”
President Museveni also pointed out that addressing these weaknesses requires collaboration and joint effort so that strategic defense capabilities can be developed. Something Africa should particularly learn from, especially among countries in East Africa with varied geopolitical characteristics.
He said, “That is why I ask: why don’t you see that we should unite? How would a country like Uganda build a navy when we have no access to the sea? The current political organization in Africa makes no sense at all. There are countries without a coastline that are still hindered in both economic development and defense. We are like people locked together, and I find myself wondering how I would even export goods abroad.”
President Museveni added that developing countries in Africa, particularly those still on the path to full development, will continue to face serious threats if they do not unite and build a comprehensive defence force capable of responding to attacks across all domains.
On the morning of Saturday, 3 January 2026, the United States conducted military strikes in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and taken to the United States.
