Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni is the latest Head of State to congratulate Donald Trump after his victory in the US presidential race.

In a statement posted on X on Friday, November 8, 2024, Museveni spelt out what Ugandans expect from the new US administration.

“Your Excellency, I am writing on behalf of the people of Uganda to congratulate you on the historic victory you achieved on the 8th of November, 2024.

“By winning both the popular and Electoral College votes, your victory was a true reflection of the feeling of the majority of citizens in the USA.

“We, the freedom-loving people of Uganda, look forward to mutually beneficial engagement with your administration. Yours-in-search for peace and mutually beneficial cooperation,” Museveni’s post read.

Diplomatic tiff

Trump’s return to the White House comes at a time when Uganda and the US have somewhat frosty relationships. 

In October 2023, the outgoing president, Joe Biden, revealed plans to kick out the East African nation from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a US-Africa development programme.

This development was brought about after Uganda passed a controversial anti-homosexuality law.

The law imposes a death penalty on people found guilty of engaging in certain same-sex acts.

“Despite intensive engagement between the United States and the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda, these countries have failed to address United States concerns about their non-compliance with the AGOA eligibility criteria,” President Biden said then.

Gabon, the Central African Republic (CAR), and Niger are the other African nations that have been at diplomatic loggerheads with the US.

Analysts will keenly follow to see whether Trump’s ascension to power will improve relations with Museveni’s Uganda or if it will take even a worse turn.