President Museveni has offered Uganda as a potential host for the future headquarters of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) as the bloc prepares to relocate its base from Brussels, Belgium.
The offer was made during a meeting at State House Entebbe with OACPS Secretary General Moussa Saleh Batraki, who briefed the President on the organisation’s reform agenda and plans to strengthen cooperation among member states through South-South partnerships.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who serves as President of the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly.
Museveni welcomed the organisation’s transformation from a body primarily focused on development negotiations with the European Union into a broader political and economic alliance for developing nations.
“You can look at Uganda if you want to relocate here. We shall support you. The shift from Europe is also a good one, so I will support you,” Museveni said.
Batraki said member states agreed in 2019 to reposition the OACPS as a stronger platform for South-South cooperation, enabling African, Caribbean and Pacific countries to collectively address emerging global challenges.
“The Heads of State wanted to create an alliance for South-South cooperation. The idea is to reinforce our political identity while ensuring our member states are aligned in addressing emerging global challenges,” he said.
He revealed that when he assumed office a year ago, the organisation was grappling with severe financial and operational difficulties, including debts exceeding €12 million, unpaid staff salaries for seven months and the absence of a permanent headquarters.
Batraki said the institution has since regained momentum following financial commitments from member states, including €4.5 million from Equatorial Guinea, €3 million from Angola and €1.5 million from Eswatini, alongside additional pledges from Tanzania, China and Barbados.
He noted that the organisation’s leaders had agreed that its headquarters should be relocated from Brussels to one of its member states to better reflect its identity and strategic direction.
“Our Heads of State agreed that we cannot continue spending our resources in Europe when the organisation belongs to its member states. They instructed me to identify suitable countries where the headquarters could be relocated,” Batraki said.
He added that while the OACPS will maintain a liaison office in Brussels to coordinate relations with the European Union under the Samoa Agreement, its main headquarters should be based in a member country.
Uganda is among the countries being considered for the relocation, according to the Secretary General.
“We believe Uganda can be one of the countries considered. We wanted to know whether this would be acceptable.”
Museveni welcomed the proposal and assured the organisation of Uganda’s full support.
The Secretary General outlined three strategic priorities that will guide the organisation’s future agenda: expanding trade and investment among member states, strengthening climate resilience and environmental protection, and promoting digital sovereignty through greater control of data and digital infrastructure.
He also highlighted plans to deepen cooperation across the Global South, including a Global Business Forum to be hosted with Indonesia in 2027 and a proposed €5 billion agricultural programme with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) aimed at boosting agricultural technology and food security.
“We hope to conclude the project before the end of this year so that many of our member states can benefit,” Batraki said.
He commended Uganda for ratifying the Samoa Agreement, describing the move as an important step in strengthening cooperation between the OACPS and the European Union while reaffirming the organisation’s independence.
Speaking at the meeting, Tayebwa disclosed that Uganda is bidding to host the next Joint Parliamentary Assembly, which brings together legislators from Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific and the European Union.
“We have requested that the next Joint Parliamentary Assembly takes place in Uganda in October next year. It will be an opportunity for more than 200 European delegates to come and witness Uganda’s transformation,” Tayebwa said.
He also said Uganda is seeking diplomatic backing for Ambassador Olara Otunnu’s candidature for the position of United Nations Secretary-General.
