April 9, 2026 — SUNTV Global Channel Reporting
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has stirred global reactions after declaring that the Moon and outer space belong to all nations, warning that Africa risks falling dangerously behind in the evolving global space race.
Speaking during a public address on Wednesday, Museveni cautioned that the lack of African participation in space exploration could weaken the continent’s position in global power dynamics.
He stressed that while major world powers are advancing their presence in space, African nations remain largely absent — a situation he described as risky and unacceptable.
“The Moon is ours also, yet we are not there. We do not know what is going on there,” he said.
Museveni pointed to recent advancements by countries with established space programmes, referencing the successful mission by NASA under the Artemis II programme, which recently carried astronauts on a historic journey around the Moon.
He warned that nations with such technological capabilities could gain disproportionate influence, adding that Africa could be left vulnerable if it fails to act.
“They are looking at us the way you would look at insects,” Museveni said, suggesting that technologically advanced nations could dominate or marginalize those without space capabilities.
The Ugandan leader emphasized the urgent need for African countries to invest in space technology, noting that sovereignty in the modern world increasingly depends on technological advancement.
He also called for stronger regional cooperation, particularly within East Africa, as a pathway to achieving collective progress in science and technology.
Museveni further lamented Africa’s absence in the space sector, describing it as a “recipe for disaster” if not urgently addressed.
His remarks have since sparked widespread debate, especially coming on the heels of his recent comments on global resource sharing, where he argued that natural assets like oceans should be accessible to all nations, including landlocked countries.
As discussions continue, his statement has reignited conversations about Africa’s role in global innovation, security, and the future of space exploration.
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