Museveni asks US to exclude Africa from sanctions against Russia

By Francis Jjunju

5^th Aug 2022

President Yoweri Museveni has said the sanctions put on Russian oil by the US government are hurting Uganda and Africa at large.

In a meeting with the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield who called on him at State House, Entebbe on Thursday, Museveni said although Uganda is food secure, the high cost of fuel affects the transportation of food to the markets, thus driving prices up.

The president asked his visitor that the US should consider separating African countries including Uganda from the sanctions because the high cost of fuel is affecting the prices of commodities due to high transport charges.

On regional security, Museveni told his guest that Uganda’s position is that cases of insecurity can easily be solved through dialogue by all parties involved especially where there is willingness to talk.

Greenfield, who is on an African tour of three African countries, started her visit in Uganda where she held discussions with Uganda’s president on regional and security matters among others.

The envoy expressed her delight to be in Uganda, a country she said has a long and deep friendship with the USA.

She extended warm greetings from President Biden to President Museveni whom she acknowledged as a pillar of stability in the region, Uganda’s peace mission in Somalia which has made a difference.

Greenfield later revealed to the President that the US government has set aside about Shs77 billion to help in the fight against food insecurity in Uganda and it will be channeled through international and national partners and civil society organizations to enhance local efforts in Uganda.

Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the US government imposed a ban on Russian oil and gas imports over the country’s invasion of Ukraine in a move seen as a direct hit on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s main revenue source as Russian forces continue their battering of Ukrainian cities.

Greenfield was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Uganda, Natalie Brown, the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee and the African Advisor, Judd Deveron, among others.

She will proceed to Ghana and Cape Verde after her visit to Uganda.