KAMPALA – The 8th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference kicked off at Makerere University, bringing together experts from Uganda, Africa, and beyond to discuss pressing global issues. The two-day conference, held in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Embassy of France in Uganda, and Alliance Française Kampala, has grown from a small gathering eight years ago to a prominent event in East Africa.
In his delegated message, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice-chancellor of Makerere University, said, “This conference provides a platform for debating pressing topics shaping regional and global discourse. We’ve seen significant impacts from global events, such as President Trump’s America First approach affecting research programs, especially in the College of Health Sciences. Ongoing conflicts in the DRC, Somalia, and South Sudan have led to increased displacement and involvement from our national army. Uganda’s reliance on imports makes it crucial to discuss maritime security, particularly piracy and attacks on ships in the Suez Canal and Gulf of Oman region.”
Prof. Nawangwe also highlighted the importance of discussing artificial intelligence and its potential risks and misuse, particularly in Uganda’s largely young society. “As we explore ways to protect security on our high seas, we’re also facing a looming threat from misinformation powered by artificial intelligence. While AI has been harnessed for innovations like disease detection and air quality monitoring, it can also be used for malicious purposes, such as spreading misinformation,” he said.
The conference will explore key areas, including reforming the United Nations Security Council, maritime security, artificial intelligence and misinformation, and peace building in Africa. Prof. Nawangwe expressed his appreciation for Alliance Francais Kampala’s efforts in bringing a unique dimension to the conference, including cultural performances.
H.E. Xavier Sticker, Ambassador of France in Uganda, emphasized the need for Africa to navigate the adoption of artificial intelligence, balancing opportunities and risks.
“Artificial intelligence brings opportunities and risks, and Africa must navigate its adoption. The economic and political dimensions of AI regulation are crucial, raising questions on how to handle it effectively,” he said.
Regarding maritime security, Ambassador Sticker highlighted the challenges faced by Uganda, a landlocked country, in accessing the sea and reaching export markets.
“Ensuring supply chain security and addressing maritime security concerns, such as piracy, are essential. The protection of the sea as a resource and environmental asset is also vital, with initiatives like the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement aiming to safeguard marine resources,” he said.
Mr. Nils Wörmer, Director of the Regional Programme Security Dialogue for East Africa at KAS, discussed the future of peacekeeping in Africa and the impact of global events on regional security. “This year, we’re focusing on efforts to grant Africa a permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council and the future of peacekeeping in Africa, comparing cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and the Lake Chad Basin,” he said.
Mr. Wörmer also highlighted the current global landscape, marked by uncertainty, with the return of Donald Trump as President of the United States likely to impact relationships between the U.S., Africa, and Europe.
“In Europe, there’s a growing concern about the hybrid war waged by Russia, which includes propaganda, disinformation campaigns, and cyber attacks. This has led to a significant investment in defense and security measures, with the European Union allocating an 800 billion euro package,” he said.
Uganda plays a crucial role in regional security and stability, having transformed from a vulnerable nation to a regional pillar of stability. However, the country faces challenges, including conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, and upcoming presidential elections in 2026.
Dr Frederick Golooba-Mutebi, a political scientist noted that sustainable peace in Eastern Congo requires building a strong state that secures borders and addresses refugee integration. “External interventions—especially by Western actors—have often deepened the crisis, not solved it.”
Makerere’s Dr Hellen Nambalirwa Nkabala said, “We have to transcend the 1994 genocide and go back to the colonial times, where ethnicities were divided by imposed borders.”
“Several Western actors in Congo have shown conflicting motives—often hiding behind peacekeeping while exploiting the country’s vast mineral wealth. As long as profit trumps peace, true stability in the DRC will remain elusive,” she added.
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized the importance of regularly discussing geopolitics and international affairs in Kampala, incorporating African perspectives. “It’s essential to regularly discuss geopolitics and international affairs in Kampala, engaging in dialogue on these topics and incorporating African perspectives. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s regional programs are well-positioned to facilitate these discussions, and we look forward to a productive conference,” he said.
