Media was recently awash with news from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso where their new and promising leader/President Ibrahim Traore, actually the youngest in the world (37) was praised for regaining control of its gold mine from a British company.

Much as his act was patriotic to the Burkinabé, we shouldn’t forget that nationalisation of assets is not a means to an end; because it has its associated shortcomings which Ugandan elites are privy to.

It was self-defeating to start seeing praises on social media calling Traore a Pan African revolutionary yet he has not registered even a minimum three outstanding achievements that can break the bone of an ear.

How will the taking of the gold mine change the lives of ordinary Burkinabé grappling with rampant famine and poverty?

I think this was social media engineering that led to some people calling Traore an incarnate of Sankara!

I want to congratulate fellow Africans on the continent for celebrating President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni 80th birthday on September 15, 2024 with pouring Pan African attributes.

Gen. Museveni’s achievements over a number of years are already engraved on the wall of fame on the continent.

From a freedom fighter starting when he was a student leader in Mozambique to an economic liberator who is working around the clock to make sure that Africans trade among each other.

His Pan African vision has helped many countries like South Africa and South Sudan to galvanize liberty among others.

Above all, President Museveni will be remembered on the continent for turning the green bananas into bread, cakes, biscuits and chapati, a landmark scientific research and innovation that has not only reduced African dependence on wheat, but has potential to help the poor small holder farmers in Uganda and Africa into active wealth creators: A significant take home on the continent.

Under the Banana Industrial Research and Development Centre (BIRDC) formerly the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development, Gen. Museveni invented new products from the available abundant resources through value addition which has opened the eye lid on poverty alleviation programs on the continent.

Africa can get raw Tooke flour, instant Tooke flour, Tooke flakes on top of confectionaries which will strengthen the consolidation of Africans since lack of enough wheat can ignite hunger and instability.

Besides the aforementioned, the deeper research on Banana is likely to change the lives of the poor on the continent due to enormous benefits of the banana fibre to the artisans.

This fibre is turned into biodegradable hair extensions and ideal textiles ideal for apparel and fashion industry, without mentioning other benefits like starch which is used in pharmaceuticals among others, this creates multiple incomes on the same product hence turning lives of rural poor.

It should also be noted that Matooke is the staple food crop in Uganda, Tanzania and other great lakes regions with Uganda becoming the largest producer of bananas with annual production of 11million tons.

This means that Gen. Museveni’s efforts will go a long way to address challenges where Africa spends USD 85 billion annually on food imports. According to NARO Uganda wheat demand stands at 650,000 metric tons.

In other words, Gen. Museveni’s invention will stop Africa from becoming shamed since we shall no longer have to attend the Russia-African summit to beg for wheat.

In the same way, Africa will be saved from shocks due to conflicts like the one of Russia and Ukraine because of our farsighted leaders who have invested in diversification of wheat.

In conclusion, much as Traore is a new kid on the block, Africa should also hail and give a standing ovation to legendary Pan-Africanist of all times, Gen. Museveni for his outstanding works on the continent. We can therefore pause praising Traore because he is just starting his journey but heap praises to Gen. Museveni. This will even give President Traore more impetus to work harder.

Happy birthday General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on your 80th new year. Long live, may God give you abundant life on earth.

Long live Hajjat Uzeiye Namyalo SPA and manager ONC.

The writer is the Head of Research ONC.

Source: Redpepper