NAM Summit Day Two: Uganda Takes Center Stage

Highlights from Day Two of the 19th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Kampala

The 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, hosted at the Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda, has entered its second day. The summit aims to foster collaboration among NAM member countries, focusing on economic, social, and political discussions.

East African Trade and Investment Summit: A Parallel Event

On the sidelines of the NAM Summit, the East African Trade and Investment Summit is taking place at Kampala Serena Hotel. Organized by the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU), the summit focuses on unlocking East Africa’s potential on the global stage, offering opportunities for the business community from NAM member countries to learn from each other. The PSFU anticipates significant gains, and Uganda hopes to attract investment deals worth $800 million.

Day Two Agenda: Senior Officials’ Meetings and Plenary Session

The second day’s agenda includes senior officials’ meetings at the Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo. Discussions revolve around the Draft Final Outcome Document, with two committees—political and economic & social affairs—addressing pertinent issues. The closed-door meetings are not accessible to the media. The day will conclude with a plenary session, adopting outcome documents for the ministerial meeting and closing ceremony.

Logistics and Traffic Management

As the summit progresses, an influx of officials is expected at Entebbe International Airport, leading to heightened traffic in the city. The traffic police have implemented a detailed traffic management plan, including diversions as needed, to facilitate smooth transportation during the summit period.

Brief Overview of Uganda

In the context of hosting the NAM Summit, Uganda, a landlocked East African country, gained independence from British rule in 1962. Situated on the Equator, Uganda shares borders with Kenya, South Sudan, DR Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Lake Victoria, the largest tropical lake globally, dominates its landscape. Uganda boasts diverse ethnic groups, with the majority residing in the central and southern regions. The country’s agriculture sector utilizes approximately 70% of the land.

Historical Perspective: NAM Host Nations

Uganda’s hosting of the 19th NAM Summit makes it the sixth African country to do so. The summit’s history spans 60-plus years, with Yugoslavia hosting the inaugural meeting in 1961. Uganda’s early-year summit is a deviation from the usual September schedule.

Uganda Assumes NAM Chairmanship

On Wednesday, Uganda is set to officially take over the chairmanship of the NAM from Azerbaijan. President Yoweri Museveni will receive the mantle from President Ilham Aliyev, leading the movement from 2024 to 2027. NAM, the largest grouping of states globally after the UN, consists of 120 member states and 17 observer countries. Uganda joined NAM in 1964, three years after its founding and two years after gaining independence.

Senior Officials’ Meeting Highlights from Day One

On the first day, senior officials’ meetings covered preparatory discussions chaired by Amb. Adonia Ayebare, who was unanimously elected as chairman. The summit commenced with addresses from Azerbaijan’s foreign affairs minister and Uganda’s foreign affairs minister, Gen (rtd) Jeje Odongo. Breakaway sessions focused on political and economic & social affairs, with outcomes to be communicated later.

As the NAM Summit in Kampala unfolds, global attention remains fixed on the deliberations shaping the future course of collaboration among member countries.