Kampala, Uganda – Former Ghanaian legislator and Pan African activist Ras Mubarak has shared fresh details of his encounter with Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during his 163 day road journey across 39 African countries, a continental campaign promoting visa free travel, unity and economic integration.
Mubarak, who is travelling under the banner of the Trans Africa Tourism and Unity Campaign and whose mission is endorsed by the Government of Ghana, met President Museveni on 17 November 2025 at the President’s farm in Mayuge. The meeting formed part of his broader consultations with African leaders on the need to open borders and strengthen intra African cooperation.
He recounted that Museveni asked him a direct question about Uganda’s global image and how visitors perceive the East African nation. Mubarak responded by saying the country has not fully marketed itself despite its natural beauty, wildlife and cultural richness. He described Uganda as a destination that truly fits its historic nickname “The Pearl of Africa.”
He told the President that Uganda’s tourism assets remain under promoted, noting that the country’s landscapes and biodiversity rival some of the most visited places on the continent. Museveni welcomed the response and engaged him further on how tourism can drive economic growth.
Mubarak said the meeting was warm and personal, describing how the President insisted that his delegation accept accommodation offered for the night as part of African tradition. He recalled taking a compulsory Covid test late in the evening before the discussion, saying audiences with Museveni require strict health protocols.
During the meeting, the pair also touched on issues of intra African trade, economic diversification and the continent’s reliance on imports. Mubarak remarked on Uganda’s agricultural strength, noting that the country has more cattle than the combined human populations of Togo and Namibia and could play a significant role in solving dairy shortages in West Africa.
He added that the encounter included lighter moments, such as a question from Museveni about the price of a kilogram of beef in Ghana, which left his team momentarily puzzled. The President also quizzed him about the late Hilla Limann after learning that Mubarak hails from northern Ghana.
Mubarak later described the engagement as productive, noting that Museveni endorsed the Pan African drive toward a visa free Africa. The President also autographed a copy of his memoir for the Ghanaian delegation.
The activist plans to document the full experience in an upcoming book detailing his 163 day continental journey.
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