ARUSHA/KAMPALA – In a powerful and wide-ranging address, Dr. Ronex Kisembo, Group CEO of Africa Mashariki Fest, has issued a clarion call for comprehensive African integration, warning that the continent must unify and secure its resources to prevent a repeat of the historical injustices of the 1884/85 Berlin Conference.
Dr. Kisembo’s address, delivered following a fact-finding tour of European nations including Spain, Germany, France, and Belgium, drew a direct line between the legacy of colonial partition and the urgent need for modern economic sovereignty. He explicitly referenced the 1884-85 Berlin Conference—convened by Otto von Bismarck—which formalized the "Scramble for Africa," partitioning the continent among European powers without African representation and creating artificial borders that continue to fuel conflict and underdevelopment .
Referencing this dark history, Dr. Kisembo underscored his message with a stark warning against current fragmentation. "Never again shall we be colonized," he stated, emphasizing that the lessons of the conference serve as a stark warning. "We need to cushion ourselves from those things that happened. Only integration, security, research, and empowering the young generation guarantee a future."
During his European tour, Dr. Kisembo observed efficient transport networks—specifically noting train trips that decongest urban centers—as models for Africa. He advocates for a unified East African airspace and improved regional connectivity by land and air to promote trade. "When there is cooperation, competition is at the bottom," he argued, pushing for a single currency for East Africa and the removal of barriers stifling free movement.
This call aligns with ongoing efforts to harmonize policies within the East African Community (EAC), including the push for a Single African Air Transport Market and the removal of Non-Tariff Barriers that hinder trade. He also endorsed the move towards a common East African visa, citing the successful "Pamoja" bid by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a model for collaboration .
Addressing the economic crisis, Dr. Kisembo criticized the reliance on "boda boda" (motorcycle taxi) transport in Kampala, calling it a "cost" that hinders productivity. He urged young people to abandon urban centers and return to the villages for productive farming, referencing European farming practices observed in Belgium and Switzerland where government support in the form of seeds and fertilizers encourages large-scale production.
"People are selling land to go abroad to be maids, yet the land could help in production," he lamented. "We cannot afford to crowd in Kampala while the land lies redundant. We need leaders who are productive, not just politicians."
Dr. Kisembo strongly endorsed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s Parish Development Model (PDM) as a vehicle to fight poverty. He cited the example of cassava production, noting that instead of selling raw produce, farmers should dry and grind it into flour. "This helps to increase jobs because many people are benefiting along the chain," he said, a practice already being supported by government initiatives which commission processing factories to add value to agricultural produce.
In addition to agriculture, Dr. Kisembo stressed the need for "strategic security" across the region and investment in research. He believes that integrating security and intelligence will prevent instability and protect the continent's natural resources from exploitation.
He also made a strong case for embracing Kiswahili as a language that facilitates trade, promotes African identity, and is non-discriminatory. Scholars have long argued that Kiswahili, as a lingua franca, can play an important role in enabling Africans to trade with one another with ease and mutual trust.
Furthermore, Dr. Kisembo criticized the fragmented national tourism promotion campaigns—such as "Explore Uganda," "Magical Kenya," and "Tanzania Unforgettable"—calling for them to be merged into a single EAC Tourism Promotion Campaign. Citing the collaborative spirit of the Pamoja Bid for AFCON 2027, he argued for a united approach to marketing the region as a single tourism destination.
As Dr. Kisembo continues to "preach the gospel" of integration, he remains firm that the fate of East Africa lies in the hands of its youth and its farmers. "Never again," he reiterated, calling for a generational shift from consumption to production to ensure the mistakes of 1884/85 remain a distant memory.
He concluded with the Kiswahili proverb: "Umoja ni nguvu, kutengana ni udhaifu" (Unity is strength, division is weakness).
During his tour, Dr. Kisembo held strategic meetings with key African ambassadors to the European Union, including:H.E. Joash Maangi, Kenyan Ambassador to Belgium and Permanent Representative to the EU,H.E. Mirjam Blaak Sow, Uganda’s Ambassador to Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg and Permanent Representative to the EU,Amb. Stephen Mubiru, Uganda’s Ambassador to Germany, whose mission oversees 10 other countries and also serves as Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna, and H.E. Doreen Ruth Amule, Uganda’s Ambassador to France, Spain, and Portugal, also Permanent Representative to UNESCO
As Secretary General of the African Union Kiswahili Commission, Dr. Kisembo began his European Tour by attending World Kiswahili Day at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. He was joined by Prof. Aldin Mutembei from Dar es Salaam University, the ACALAN-AU Kiswahili Commission Coordinator, and Dr. Vicensia Shule, Executive Secretary of the African Academy of Languages (ACALAN-AU) based in Bamako, Mali.
