Yoweri Museveni Says the Moon and Space Belong to Uganda

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has sparked debate after claiming that outer space, including the moon, belongs to every nation, including Uganda.

Speaking during a public address, Museveni warned that countries with established space programs often overlook or treat weaker nations with disregard. 

He stressed that Africa’s absence in space exploration leaves the continent vulnerable.

“That space is a common property for all of us. The moon is ours too, even if we are not there yet. We do not know what is happening there,” Museveni said. 

He urged Uganda and other African nations to develop the capacity to participate in space exploration and not remain passive observers.

Museveni highlighted that nations like the United States, Russia, China, and India already have a presence in space and on the moon. 

He warned that this gives them a strategic advantage and suggested that they might treat nations without space programs as insignificant.

“Some countries now have advanced space technology. They can look at us the way one would look at insects,” he said, emphasizing the importance of catching up technologically.

He further urged regional unity in Africa to strengthen collective space capabilities. 

“None of the African countries have a space program. This is a recipe for disaster. Even if individual countries grow, managing space exploration alone is difficult,” he added. 

Museveni suggested that political integration in East Africa could help achieve the technological level needed to safeguard sovereignty and compete globally.

This is not the first time Museveni has made bold claims about shared resources. 

He recently said that the Indian Ocean is a resource for all countries and argued that landlocked nations like Uganda should have unrestricted access. 

He even hinted at possible conflicts with neighboring countries, including Kenya, over access to ports and shared resources.

Museveni’s comments highlight the urgent need for Africa to invest in science and technology, particularly in space programs, to ensure that the continent is not left behind in global developments. 

He insists that outer space should be seen as a common resource and that African nations must act collectively to claim their place in the final frontier.