Nairobi News

The absence of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at the ongoing Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi has has raised eyebrows considering his close ties with the summit’s host, President William Ruto.

The summit has brought together more than 20,000 delegates from around the world at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) for three days to discuss the impact of climate change in Africa.

On Tuesday, President Museveni met NRM flag bearers and the chairpersons of Kampala’s five divisions at State House. He asked them to stop using money for political activities, saying it was a colossal mistake, counterproductive and unnecessary.

The NRM meeting comes amid a nationwide tour by National Unity Platform leader Robert Kyagulanyi better known as Bobi Wine.

The opposition leader has commenced early campaigns ahead of the 2026 elections in which he will take a second at the presidency.

President Museveni’s son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has also expressed interest in the presidency.

At the Summit, among the presidents from the East African Community who attended were President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, President Evariste Ndayishimiye from Burundi, Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

Other leaders from the continent in attendance include President Nana Akufo Addo of Ghana, President Azali Assoumani of Comoros, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierre Leone, President Sale Work Zewde of Ethiopia, President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, President Mohamed Yyounis A. Menfi of Libya, President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, and President Ismael Omar Guelleh of Djibouti.

In his speech, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Africa is home to 30 per cent of the mineral reserves that are critical to renewable & low-carbon technologies.

“To truly benefit all Africans, production and trade must be sustainable, transparent and just – with maximum added value produced in African countries,” Guterres said.