Kampala, Uganda | The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on Wednesday honoured the late Raila Amolo Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya, who passed away earlier in the day. Delegates attending the XIX Midterm Ministerial Review Meeting in Kampala observed a moment of silence in recognition of Odinga’s legacy as a Pan-African leader, statesman, and advocate for unity and justice.
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, officially opened the meeting at Speke Resort Munyonyo with a call for renewed global solidarity and cooperation. In his address, Museveni reflected on the evolution of human society and the power of science and technology to transform nations.
“We have two categories of problems in the world,” he said. “The first is the oppression of man by nature floods, droughts, and disease. The second, and perhaps more serious, is the oppression of man by man. Through knowledge and cooperation, we can overcome both.”
President Museveni underscored the interdependence of global economies and the urgent need for equitable distribution of wealth and technology. He noted that Africa’s combined GDP around $4 trillion for a population of 1.5 billion remains disproportionately low, calling for accelerated industrialization, technology transfer, and fairer global trade terms.
“The prosperity of one region must contribute to the prosperity of all,” he said. “When others advance, we too should rise. The transformation of China, India, and other Asian nations lifted global demand and benefited many regions. We must not be selfish with progress it should be shared.”
Reaffirming NAM’s founding principles of sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and non-interference, Museveni described the movement as a stabilizing force amid growing global polarization. “The Non-Aligned Movement remains a voice of reason and balance,” he said, “providing a platform for developing nations to advocate for peace, equity, and the right to development.”
He called for deeper cooperation under Uganda’s NAM Chairmanship theme, “Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence,” emphasizing that prosperity must be built through regional integration, innovation, and collective action. As the world approaches the 40th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development in 2026, Museveni urged NAM member states to push for equitable and sustainable global growth.
Uganda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen. Jeje Odongo, reinforced this message, urging the adoption of a legally binding international framework recognizing development as a fundamental human right. “Persistent inequality and poverty threaten global peace and must no longer be tolerated,” he said.
The Munyonyo meeting continued with renewed calls for unity among NAM member states to defend shared positions on peace, development, human rights, and multilateral cooperation. Gen. Odongo also commended Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, for his leadership in maintaining cohesion within NAM’s Coordinating Bureau in New York.
As the session drew to a close, delegates reaffirmed the Movement’s commitment to strengthening Global South solidarity and building a fairer, more inclusive world. The overarching message was clear: the Non-Aligned Movement remains steadfast anchored in its founding principles, driven by unity, and dedicated to advancing the collective interests of developing nations.