By Sharon Tawuya
Harare, (New Ziana)—Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday urged African Union member states that joined the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) but have not yet undertaken reviews or implemented their National Programs of Action to emulate the progress that Zimbabwe has made.
In a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Jessica Alupo at the official launch of Zimbabwe’s APRM National Program of Action, President Museveni said Zimbabwe offers a model for the continent.
“I urge those who have acceded but are yet to undertake their reviews, or have outstanding National Programs of Action, to draw inspiration from Zimbabwe’s example. With strong political commitment, effective institutions and national ownership, the journey from review to implementation can be accelerated,” he said.
President Museveni congratulated Zimbabwe on launching its Targeted Review on Economic Governance and Management, describing it as a significant milestone and evidence of commitment to accountable institutions and sustainable socio-economic transformation.
He noted that Zimbabwe acceded to the APRM on 8 February 2020 as the 44th member state, and has since completed its Targeted Review, presented the report to the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government in February this year, and launched a nationally owned and costed National Program of Action.
“This achievement reflects strong political leadership, effective institutional coordination and a firm commitment to governance reform,” he said.
President Museveni said his country would support Zimbabwe as it implements its National Program of Action, saying Uganda stands ready to deepen South-South cooperation.
“Uganda stands ready to deepen South-South cooperation with Zimbabwe by sharing experiences in National Program of Action implementation, monitoring and evaluation systems, stakeholder engagement and institutional strengthening,” he said.
The Zimbabwe report identified the practices for emulation by Member States including transformative leadership, performance contracting, land reform, village business units under the Rural Development 8.0 model, innovation under the Heritage-Based Education as well as Monetary policy revitalization centered on the “Back-to-Basics” approach.
President Museveni added that Uganda would continue working with the APRM Continental Secretariat to support Zimbabwe through peer learning, technical cooperation, governance support programs and exchange of best practices.
He said the review comes at a critical time as Africa advances Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area, stressing that sound economic governance is vital for promoting investment, enhancing competitiveness, strengthening regional value chains and delivering inclusive growth.
President Museveni said the APRM remains Africa’s premier governance instrument for strengthening institutions and accelerating transformation, but its value lies in implementation.
“The true value of the APRM does not lie in the review report itself. Its greatest value lies in the implementation of the National Program of Action. A review only becomes meaningful when it translates into concrete reforms, measurable improvements and tangible benefits for citizens,” he explained.
He said Zimbabwe’s successful implementation of the National Plan of Action would strengthen investor confidence, promote regional value chains and advance the objectives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).
President Museveni also congratulated Zimbabwe on assuming the COMESA chairmanship for the 2026–2027 period, describing it as a reflection of the country’s growing leadership in regional economic integration.
New Ziana
