United Nations(UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised Uganda for its commendable inclusive refugee policy, which offers a safe haven to numerous refugees from the region.
His remarks came after a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni on the sidelines of the ongoing Non-Aligned Movement at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
The meeting between Museveni and Secretary-General Guterres centered on addressing peace and security concerns in the Great Lakes region.
Guterres commended Uganda and President Museveni for their pivotal role in fostering peace and stability, not only within the Great Lakes region but also across the African continent.
Acknowledging the ongoing reforms within the UN administration, Guterres emphasized the efforts aimed at reforming the Security Council and international financial systems.
These reforms are intended to better address the universal needs of humanity and ensure a more equitable global framework.
He specifically applauded Uganda for its positive and accommodating refugee policy, which has provided a home for many refugees from the region.
The UN administration is actively implementing various reforms, including those related to the Security Council and international financial systems, with a focus on meeting the universal needs of humanity, particularly in developing nations.
Museveni expressed his gratitude to the United Nations leadership for embracing Uganda’s long-standing proposal, along with similar proposals from other African countries, to seek support from the international community in handling security matters on the continent.
This approach recognizes the unique challenges faced by specific regions in Africa and emphasizes the importance of local involvement in finding solutions, rather than relying solely on UN peacekeeping forces that may lack a comprehensive understanding of the local context.
“With insecurity, the primary victims are the citizens living in that particular country and their neighbors. Therefore, they should be empowered to find solutions, not foreigners,”said Museveni.
He emphasized the significance of empowering local communities to address security challenges effectively.