East African Unity: Osman Draga Urges Shared Regional Vision

KAMPALA, Uganda - East Africa has the people, the resources and the opportunities to become a major global force, but only deeper unity will allow the region to unlock that potential. That was the central message from Osman Draga, West Nile Regional Coordinator for Umoja wa Amani Kwanza East Africa, during the organisation's convention in Kampala.

Addressing delegates from across the region, including representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Burundi, Tanzania and Zanzibar, Draga delivered a powerful call for stronger regional cooperation. Speaking from his perspective as a historian, he traced the long-standing dream of a more integrated East African community.

A dream as old as independence

Draga reminded participants that the idea of East African unity is not a new concept. In the years following independence, he noted, there was a genuine opportunity to establish a more closely integrated regional state.

He pointed to the similarities in the national anthems of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania as a reflection of a shared historical aspiration for cooperation and solidarity. That vision, he observed, was never fully achieved, undone by a combination of political and historical challenges that shaped the region's path after independence.

The West Nile Regional Coordinator also recognised leaders who have continued to champion regional integration, among them President Yoweri Museveni, whose commitment to Pan-African ideals, he said, has helped keep conversations around initiatives such as Umoja wa Amani Kwanza alive.

"We have everything we need to be powerful"

Highlighting East Africa's vast potential, Draga told delegates: "We have everything we need to be powerful."

He compared the region's population and resources with those of established global powers. The United Kingdom, with a population of approximately 69 million people, has achieved significant global influence, he noted, while East Africa, now comprising eight countries, has an estimated population of about 349 million.

"With such numbers and resources, East Africa has the capacity to become a significant economic force and play a more influential role in global affairs," he said. "The key challenge is recognising and harnessing our collective potential."

A message that resonated

The address struck a chord with delegates, who reflected on the opportunities that greater cooperation could create for trade, development, security and regional prosperity.

As East Africa continues to navigate economic and political challenges, Draga's remarks served as a reminder that the region's greatest strength may lie not only in its natural resources and population, but in its ability to work together towards a common future.