PRELIMINARIES AS KIWANUKA KITUUKA PREPARES TO PARTICIPATE AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR THE 2016 UGANDA PRESIDENCY

SLOGAN: “TO GET UGANDA TO THE PROMISED LAND”

Kiwanuka Kituuka is founder of: Makerere University Private Parents' Students' Association (MUPRISPA) and Good Governance Practice (GOGOP). 

Kiwanuka Kituuka stands for:

1.   Clean leadership

2.   Security

3.   Prosperity

4.   Togetherness

Of the people of and within Uganda

WHY KIWANUKA KITUUKA IS OFFERING HIMSELF FOR PRESIDENT OF UGANDA

Majority of Ugandans yearn for a positive change in the management of the affairs of their country, but are resigned about seeing such change in their life time yet life grows harder year after year.  Kiwanuka Kituuka has identified weaknesses of the Opposition Leaders in Uganda.  He is convinced that when these are corrected, it is possible to catch the Presidency.  These among others include failure to deliver tangible results to the electorate before seeking for elective office.  Kiwanuka has been involved in playing various roles to see to the welfare of privately sponsored students at Makerere University since 2001, among other areas.  There is need to deliver to the people before going to ask them for votes.  Secondly, the opposition has not been able to have the ability to ensure credible representation at all the polling stations countrywide so as to be able to have counter tallying of the results to what the Electoral Commission delivers, some of which are believed to be altered.   

For over 20 years now, he has been a student of Good Governance, hence the eventual registration of Good Governance Practice.  He has found himself contributing to alternative and better policies for Uganda.  Some of such policies have had the audience of the NRM Government and have been implemented, the most recent being the one he made in 2009 regarding changing the approach to payment of the fee for National Examinations (UNEB) after a number of students were missing final examinations following Head teachers embezzling the money.  UNEB says starting 2015, parents will pay direct to UNEB through various channels.  Much of his works on policy and Human Rights issues can be found on the various blogs he has on the Internet which are for public consumption.  Following the promises in President Museveni's re - election Manifesto of 2001 to implement a Student Loan Scheme, he came up with a model of a Sustainable Education Loan Scheme under Makerere University Private Students' Parents' Association (MUPRISPA) which he had founded earlier.  This proposal was however ignored by the NRM Government and instead, a non - sustainable discriminative scheme has been put in place in 2014 with all the odds which the MUPRISPA approach had addressed.

The people of Uganda who yearn to see a prosperous country have been frustrated more so when the country leadership is at liberty to shift goal posts, as the country's development is compromised.  The colossal amounts of money lost in corruption related scandals are simply ridiculous.  It is sad that many such deals sail through after taking short cuts and institutions that would counter such scandals and eventually loss of tax payer money are rendered powerless in such circumstances.  There is no consensus on a number of things such that the executive for example is at liberty to take the UPDF to South Sudan to support one faction of the fighting groups without prior approval of Parliament.  In such circumstances, it is sad that the tax payer has in addition to foot the bill for maintaining UPDF in South Sudan, meanwhile Government employees including teachers, the Ministry of health staff among others have complained of not getting salary some up to 4 months, with unconvincing reasons including payroll problems, yet some of these have in the meantime had the monthly loan installment liabilities by Government to the various creditors, yet with no salary paid to these people.  This status quo is worsened by the NRM Caucus which in most cases takes the President's position and when back to Parliament the members just endorse the President's wishes.

It is now the norm to have Uganda Police Force and UPDF as priority areas where recruitment is sure and in good numbers on a yearly basis.  In the New Vision Vol. 16 No. 105 of Tuesday, may 2, 2000, under: "Museveni woos graduates to armed forces," the President is quoted to have said, "idle graduates with qualifications irrelevant to the Ugandan market should go back for retraining or join the armed forces.  The unemployed graduates with degrees in unmarketable courses should take advantage of the 22,000 vacancies in the Police Force."

In the circumstances, Kiwanuka Kituuka sees himself as a person who has never been compromised from the days of the NRM 5 - year Bush war.  He say the NRM/A approach then no solution to Uganda's problems, and he was not wrong, because the engineer of the revolution has been compromised, and the best the people of Uganda are disagreements in between the players in Government with President Museveni always emerging as 'Mr right.'  Kiwanuka is convinced beyond reasonable doubt that he can unite the people of Uganda many of whom see that enough is enough.  He promised to be the string that will hold together the people of Uganda with various convictions, but with consensus as the way to go to the brighter future on a journey to the Promised Land.

While Kiwanuka has positions on some issues, he is convinced that many others over which the NRM Government has been uncompromising are much more of common sense issues where the consensus positions should rule, these among others include having the Federal Arrangement countrywide with at least not less than 60% of those the Odoki Commission approached okayed it with 60%.  Ugandans need to see Uganda's institutions functional.  It is absurd when many see the President as the clearing house for nearly everything, and this is becoming a very big problem for the country.  Credible people are available locally and can be identified to help the proper functioning of Uganda's institutions.  Accountability is a must, and this cannot be compromised anymore.  It is absurd that a few people in big positions are at liberty to do unlawful things. There is need to get the clearing business out of State House so that accountable organs of the State handle them.

Kiwanuka promises the people of Uganda a better Uganda if they support him to be at the steering.  He will avoid the wrong relationship as can be depicted between a Bank manager and a cashier.  He says, "If you want a cashier to stick to the rules, you don't start issuing vouchers for her to hold so that she holds them as part of her cash - on - hand as well as entertain any sexual relationship with her.  Instead, you get to spot check her any time without prior notice so that she keeps her till clean.  You don't encourage customers to call on you leaving out the respective lower cadre staff who would handle them, given that it is only matters beyond such staff would be referred to the manager."

The problem with the NRM leadership is that many are so compromised, that is the reason why those below find liberty to loot public property including outright stealing of cash.  Kiwanuka Kituuka is promising clean leadership to the people of Uganda who yearn so much for it.

"FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY"    

 THE PROBLEM

Uganda’s problem is the mass poverty, ignorance, high youth population figures with majority unemployed, disease, environmental degradation, the difference between the budget and budget out-turn of about 30%, corruption, the unsustainable debt burden, poor governance record due to the fact that the regime is using all possible strategies to retain power, an unbelievably huge administrative infrastructure and the too much power which the President holds.  These are greatly attributed to the bad NRM – O politics.  

Uganda’s involvement in the regional conflicts is a very big liability to the country as it is calling for a lot of resources which otherwise would go into development initiatives, and also, a lot of money is needed to counter terrorists targeting the country not forgetting loss of manpower which constantly leads to dependent population needing support.  We must remember that this is responsible for the increasing budget on classified expenditure.

The unfair distribution of the national cake with the biggest pie to the NRM – O members, and President Museveni while campaigning for NRM candidates always fronts the delivery of services in favour of constituents that elect NRM – O candidates

One cannot guarantee that potential funders will be able to get the funding to him/her given the road blocks the NRM – O Government has put in place.  These are bound to frustrate any potential candidate who eventually may just give up competing in national elections, yet the NRM – O even encroaches on the Consolidated Fund to fund party activities.

Youthful population

The State of Uganda’s Population Report 2012 was released in December 2012, according to the ­ findings; Uganda has the world’s youngest population, with over 78% below 30 years, while more than 52% of Ugandans are below 15 years.  Currently, at least 83% of young people have no formal employment, partly due to slow economic growth, the small labour market, high population growth rate, the rigid education system, rural-urban migration and limited access to capital.

67% of Ugandans vulnerable to poverty

About 67% of Ugandans are either poor or highly vulnerable to poverty, the expenditure review for Uganda 2012 by the Directorate of Social Protection in the gender ministry has revealed.

Dr. Fred Matovu, a senior lecturer of economics at Makerere University, who participated in the review, said the study was aimed at establishing the number of Ugandans who require social protection due to their susceptibility to poverty.

Matovu said the 67% represented both Ugandans who spend below the poverty line of $ 1.20 (about sh3,170)per day and those who are below twice the poverty line, $2.40 (about sh6,340) per day.

Going by the United Nation’s Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), Uganda currently has 34.5 million people, meaning about 23.1 million are prone to poverty, and about 8.4 million of them (about 24.5%) are trapped in absolute poverty.

Source: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/640813-67-of-ugandans-vulnerable-to-poverty.html

Good Governance and Human Rights in Uganda

Uganda as a country has a governance record that is positively affected by the NRM – O wish to be in State House for a very long time.  It is already 28 years with one President.  It can be a big miracle for such a Government not to violate rights of the people in order to retain office.  This is the reason that greatly affects the Good Governance in Uganda.

        I.            There is need to focus on strengthening democratization, protection of human rights, access to justice, peaceful co-existence and improved accountability in Uganda.

      II.            Greater support to Justice, Law and Order Sector, that is focusing on promotion of the rule of law. This includes direct support to the Judiciary concentrating on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the institution.

    III.            Enhance the quality of service delivery through improved local governance and accountability.

The Environment situation

1)     Many of Uganda's natural ecosystems are undergoing conversion, degradation, and decline in a totally unplanned and uncontrolled manner. Examples include: uncontrolled expansion of agricultural land; erosion of soils and a decline in soil fertility; falling quality and availability of water; unregulated encroachment and degradation of wetlands; encroachment of forest reserves; deforestation and overgrazing of rangelands; and invasion of weed species and bush encroachment. With the country's current population of 22 million set to double by the year 2020, these pressures are bound to be insurmountable without sustainable action at both the national and community levels.

Source: http://fsdinternational.org/country/uganda/envissues

2)     Most Ugandans are completely reliant on natural resources to survive. Forests provide fuel-wood and cleared land frees arable soil for agriculture. Uganda loses about 6,000 hectares of forests every 30 days according. If no action is registered by 2050, Uganda’s per capita forest cover will be zero (NEMA, 2009). Already 28 districts have lost their entire forest ecosystem while another 19 districts have forest cover lower than 1%.

As forests give way to agricultural land, the soil is exposed to erosion and loses its fertility. Where cattle are introduced, grazing also affects soil quality, opens the way for invasive species and reduces the diversity of plant species. Other related problems include falling quality and availability of water.

There must be a deliberate effort to see sustainable environment management policies in place through enhancing sustainable conservation and utilization of natural resources and climate change adaptation and mitigation, strengthen the capacities of institutions (Government and Civil Society Organisations) to undertake sustainable environment and natural resources actions aimed at:

•      Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems,
•    Scaling-up successful SLM models and approaches, (iii) Enhancing Efficient Utilization of Biomass Energy, Renewable Energy Technologies (RET), and reduction in GHG emissions and
•      Promoting Climate Change Resilient Development.

Uganda's Debt Stock

A report on loans, grants and Guarantees for Financial Year 2012/13 presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance, Planning & Economic Development dated June 13, 2013, states that as March 31, 2013, the total stock of public debt stood at USD 5.6billion (shs14,576.3 trillion, or 26.7% of GPD) of which external debt was USD 3.5 billion (shs 9,152.8 trillion, or 16.7% of GDP, of GDP) and domestic debt was USD 2.1billion (shs 5,423.5 trillion, or 9.9% of GPD).

It is important to note that Uganda’s debt stock at 26.7% of GDP has reached unsustainable levels.  Looking at the Domestic debt, the component which is not bank funded is crippling the business entities in Uganda and some are having their assets being liquidated by the creditors.

There is need to make a review as regards debt in Uganda and sustainability.

Big administration infrastructure

1.      69 Ministers, 327 Members of Parliament, 278 political appointees who include 80 resident District Commissioners and assistants, 75 presidential advisors and 43 private presidential secretaries and their deputies. This is just a picture of Uganda's over-the-top public administration. Pearl of Africa as commonly known is argued that not only is it a sleeping giant but also an over-governed and unproductive country.

2.      It has many administrative units; 45,000 local councils, 5500 parishes, 1026 sub-counties, 151 counties, 18 municipalities and 80 districts. All these structures have executive 10 man executive officials. So, the total number of officials is 10 times the number of every administrative unit.  

3.      How does this nation manage its servants? Uganda's expenditure is very enormous and abnormal.

4.      A presidential advisor and his deputy earn 908.5 million Ugandan shillings enough to pay 378 primary school teachers a salary of 200,000 Ugandan shillings a month.

5.      Private presidential secretary and his assistant earn 7.5 billion shillings enough to; support 2,077 primary schools with 800 pupils each, buy drugs for 890 health centers, construct 935 classrooms or pay 37,500 primary school teachers. Members of Parliament altogether earn 57 billion excluding the allowances, the 69 ministers have all sorts of allowances and only government expenditure on Ministers vehicles fuel, oil and maintenance in 2006/07 was 92 billion Ugandan shillings.  

6.      Uganda has over 31 million people. According to the Ministry of Health, there's one doctor to every 300,000 people. Surprisingly, there's one administrative leader to every 6 Ugandans. Uganda has one of the poorest administrative structures in the entire world. The poor administration can and only provides poor services to its citizens. The government at times makes good policies but it's very hard for them to be implemented leading to all these and many other deficiencies.

Source: Major Problems facing Uganda today –

 http://www.africaw.com/major-problems-facing-uganda-today

The matter of a huge administrative infrastructure must be addressed in national interest.  The NRM - O is using it as a strategy for regime longevity, hence keeps people who should have long retired on pay roll even when they are not productive. 

Disease

Over 11 million Ugandans are suffering from Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and if not treated some may lead to death.

This was revealed by the national coordinator of NTDs, Dr. Edridah Tukahebwa during the launch of the country’s master plan for elimination of NTDs by 2020.  Tukahebwa, who is also the assistant commissioner health services (vector control) in the ministry of health, disclosed that 2m Ugandans are infected with Bilharzia in 63 districts out of 112 in the country.  She said 4.8m are suffering from Elephantiasis in 54 districts while 4m are infected with River blindness in 37 districts and 1m are suffering from Trachoma in 36 districts.

Source: http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/648057-11m-ugandans-infected-with-neglected-diseases.html

Corruption:

The World Bank says that corruption costs Uganda over Shs 900 billion per annum, equivalent to the annual budgets of the government’s biggest departments.

Regionally, Uganda is the third most corrupt country in the East African region after Burundi and Kenya according to the Corruption Perception Index 2011 released by Transparency International in December 2011. Rwanda and Tanzania are “cleaner” than Uganda.

See more at: http://www.independent.co.ug/News/news-analysis/5079-corruption-in-2012#sthash.4ISKtcm1.dpuf 

This money can easily be saved if there is the political will as those who play a big role in the theft are those politically connected.  You can ask yourself where the NRM – O gets all the money they pour into the polls.  They are a beneficiary of the corruption machinery, hence, in the circumstances; it is a joke to imagine that they can seriously hunt the animal that feeds them.

I am not corrupt, and I can promise a law to conclusively deal with the corrupt, where the giver and receiver of corruption both end up in Luzira or its equivalent with no option for a fine, and also losing the Government job as well as publicity on Internet that whoever deals with them does so on his/her own risk.

Presidential Powers:

The proposals in place to see to reduced powers of the President have to be debated and implemented.  Uganda should get modern with a President who suits the modern times, not a dictator who is backed by the instruments of power, and as the proposals are passed, they should immediately become law in the same term.

I have not subscribed as a member to any existing Political Party in Uganda because I am not satisfied with them.  I don’t need to form a Political Party to day, what is needed is that mass of Ugandans interested in a clean up in the governance of Uganda, this, together with a worldwide mobilization of resources to back the strategy.

There is serious weakness among the opposition candidates in Uganda in that they are even unable to come up with statistics showing how people voted at various polling stations throughout the country, hence wait for the figures by the Electoral Commission!  This should be made history, in that, at all Gazetted Polling Stations, there should be manpower that can finally get a copy of the agreed to results sheet duly signed, meaning that as the Electoral Commission compiles results, the opposite team is equally compiling and can release the outcome at liberty if need arises.

I don’t believe in a policy that Government does not get involved in business.  For the sake of employment creation as well as having our industries competitive enough, Government MUST do business more so agro – processing industrialization, and ensure that monitoring is well done.  This does not leave the areas of cooperatives and marketing unattended to, Marketing Boards MUST be re- instated.

There must be motivation to the Medical Doctors and teachers among other professionals so that they deliver 1^st class services to the people in Uganda.  Infrastructure for treatment of cases currently referred out of the country MUST be realized, hence phase out this treatment from abroad which costs so much the taxpayer.

Regional Governments have to take shape in a Federal arrangement throughout the country, and the states must be able to determine their priories for growth.

The Parliament size has to be reduced so that the 2021 elections come when Uganda has a size of Parliament that fits the budget, representation must be according to population figures.

Government sponsorship which currently does not make economic sense has to be phased out, instead see reduced tuition fees and a needy scheme as well as a sustainable loan scheme in place.

Women Empowerment

        I.            Although Uganda has made considerable strides in gender equality, especially manifest in the proportion of women national legislators at 34.9 percent - higher than the world average of 19.47 percent - there is still a challenge to empower women at domestic levels. Maternal mortality rates are still high, with 16 women who die while giving birth every day. UNDP supports the government to create gender-sensitive policies, budgeting and economic plans. It also works towards social and economic empowerment of women at grassroots.

      II.            The social domestic setting gives women an unfair start in life compared to men. The average Ugandan woman spends nine hours a day on labour activities such as fetching water, firewood and caring for the sick, according to the Uganda MDG Report 2007.

    III.            The burden of care makes the woman particularly vulnerable when it comes to competing on the job market as it affects girls’ ability to concentrate on education and compete favourably. It is no wonder literacy rates for Ugandans aged 10 years and above is at 79 percent for men, but 66 percent for women, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics’ Statistical Abstract for 2012. For women, dropouts from school are due to financial constraints, family responsibilities, illness, early marriages and pregnancies.

  IV.            Girls in social settings are handed domestic household chores, usually because their mothers are working in farm and non-farm activities to supplement household resources.  And although women comprise an estimated 70 percent of those working in agriculture, they  experience unequal access to, and control over, important productive resources, notably land, which limits their ability to raise productivity and even move out of subsistence agriculture, according to the Uganda MDG Report 2010.

Persons with disabilities

According to the 2002 Population and Housing Census, at least 4 out of every 25, or 16 per cent of the population, are disabled.

There is need to promote more chances/opportunities in employment and other areas for people with disabilities.  The need to improved access to basic education, vocational training relevant to labour market needs and jobs suited to their skills, interests and abilities, with adaptations as needed. There is also need to dismantle other barriers – hence making the physical environment more accessible, providing information in a variety of formats, and challenging attitudes and mistaken assumptions about people with disabilities.

Agriculture

FOR a country with fertile land and abundant rainfall which give it a strong comparative advantage in agriculture, Uganda’s agriculture performance is weak. Agricultural productivity per worker, at approximately $200 per year, is among the lowest in the world.

Real growth in agriculture has averaged only two percent per annum over the last 10 years, less than a third of the average growth of the rest of the Ugandan economy. Productivity is especially low in the food crop sub-sector, which is dominated by smallholder farmers, because farmers use rudimentary farm technology and produce mainly for subsistence rather than the market. 

Unless there are radical changes in our approach to agriculture, our agricultural performance will weaken further, with very deleterious consequences for rural poverty, employment, inequality, geographically balanced growth and food security. 

It is imperative to implement a comprehensive strategy to support smallholder agriculture if we are to avert a long term decline in the agricultural sector; a decline which will be accelerated by the exploitation of our oil resources.

If we can help the broad mass of farmers in this country to become more productive, raise their yields and sell more of their output on the market, it will be possible to create a more dynamic agricultural sector which is strong enough to survive despite the adverse impacts of oil on the real exchange rate.

Furthermore, by supporting Uganda’s farmers to increase their marketable output, we can boost agro-processing industries and thus promote industrialization. Strengthening agriculture will not be possible without devoting more public resources to support the sector, but how we spend public resources is critical. 

What should be our strategy for agriculture? 

The goal of agricultural strategy should be to support the modernization of agriculture. Modernization entails farmers adopting good agricultural practices to maximize their profit and selling more of their output on the market. It will bring about a switch towards the production of higher value crops, as well as raising yields per acre and yields per worker. 

A feasible strategy for agricultural development in Uganda must have at its centre support for smallholder farmers. Smallholders comprise 96% of Uganda’s farmers. It is unrealistic to expect that Uganda’s agricultural performance can be turned around by ignoring smallholders and focusing instead on large farms. 

Modernizing smallholder farming will entail smallholders making greater use of purchased farm inputs. Hence modernization will require smallholders having better access to finance.

Nevertheless finance is unlikely to be the binding constraint on modernisation of smallholder agriculture and unless more important constraints are tackled, enhancing smallholders’ access to finance will be ineffective.

Policy measures to strengthen the provision of financial services in the rural areas must be part of a much broader set of interventions to support smallholders to adopt modern farm technology and produce for the market, of the type I have already mentioned.

Unless smallholders have adopted good agricultural practices, such as the use of improved seeds, proper field preparation, timely planting, weeding and pest control, proper harvest and post harvest handling, etc – practices which can improve yields significantly - they will not be able to utilize credit effectively because their farms will not be profitable. 

THE BETTER UGANDA AGENDA

Within 2 years of getting elected to office, I should be able to present to Parliament a Coordinated Programme of Economic & Social Development Policies, in other words, the Uganda Shared Growth and Development Agenda (USGDA).  This should form the basis for preparation of development plans and annual budgets at the sector and district levels throughout the country.

The Better Uganda Agenda to encompass the following social and economic goals:

         i.            Putting food on people’s tables;

       ii.            Providing citizens with secure and sustainable jobs;

      iii.            Rehabilitating and expanding infrastructural facilities;

    iv.            Ensuring gender equity in access to productive resources such as land, labour, technology, capital/finance and information;

      v.            Expanding access to potable water and sanitation, health, housing and education;

    vi.            Ensuring the safety of life and property;

   vii.            Embarking on an affirmative action to rectify errors of the past, particularly as they relate to discrimination against women;

 viii.            Reducing gender and geographical disparities in the distribution of national resources;

     ix.            Ensuring environmental sustainability in the use of natural resources through Science, technology and innovation;

      x.            Pursuing an employment – led economic growth strategy that will appropriately link agriculture to industry, particularly manufacturing;

     xi.            Creating a new order of social justice and equity, premised on the inclusion of all hitherto excluded and marginalized people, particularly the poor, the underprivileged and persons with disabilities;

   xii.            Ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are fairly shared among the various segments of society;

  xiii.            Improving transparency and accountability in the use of public funds and other national resources;

xiv.            Accelerating economic growth rate to at least 8% per annum.

GOALS FORESEEN

Promoting Investment

We see ‘modern dynamic industry’ as the core of a competitive economy.  We therefore intend to strengthen entrepreneurialism and improve innovation and investment conditions.

Foreign Policy

We hope to face up to ‘International challenges’ - Peace Keeping, respect of Human Rights, Support for development and Climate Protection.  Work to promote the East African Community Initiatives as a group, Support the International Criminal Court (ICC), work to see to the promotion of a meaningful and developmental African Union Initiatives, getting the various local fora to discuss democratically initiatives that the country may subscribe to, as well as have interventions in other countries (like we are in South Sudan) after the endorsement by Parliament.

Innovation

We shall borrow innovative ideas that have worked elsewhere (though with some modifications to suit our conditions) to boost development initiatives locally.

Appraisal of Government Liabilities

We shall undertake to appraise all on – going Government liabilities and establish strategies to manage them sustainably.

Campaign to Subscribe to Uganda Development Corporation

A big campaign shall be undertaken after having a law in place to have as many Ugandans as possible subscribe to the capital of Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), which should be the engine for local investment drive hence economic development.

All active population involved in income generation & Social Security

Strategies to be put in place at community level to see that all able bodied people in Uganda are involved in income generation of some sort and all these to be under some social security arrangement.

See Federal a reality

We see different levels of growth in the country because many areas have had a raw deal as regards share of the national cake.  A federal arrangement with some finance powers can help adjust the anomaly.

Promotion of Accountability & Strengthening Procurement Systems

We shall ensure that workable measures are put in to see that before Government is committed to any expenditures and or taking on contractors, value for money is established by getting various Government offices involved ( the Auditor General, the Solicitor General, The Public Procurement & Disposal of Public Assets Authority, the Inspector General of Government, the Auditor General among others).  This should eliminate the contracting of works and audits done after money was dispersed finding that rules or procedures were not followed.  It will also eliminate the loss of tax payer funds as is the case today when audits are done long after the transactions took place.  The Auditor General’s office should then just coming to establish than the instructions and recommendations for the various undertakings were followed as per the specifications.  However, this will call for appropriate motivation of staff in the concerned offices as many are active players in the corruption tendencies by virtue of offices and authority they hold, and in these transactions, International Standards on Auditing (ISA) to be observed.

Support to the Tourism Sector

We shall endeavour to get guidance from the players in the Tourism Sector on what has to be done to boost the sector to be a major earner for Uganda, and funds shall be identified to see the objective realized.

Limit Presidential Pledges

According to a report by the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances which was leaked to the Daily Monitor, the President has not delivered on 817 pledges, since he captured power in 1986.  “The pledges  totaling 817, are estimated to cost the Uganda taxpayer more than Shs12.9 trillion in key areas of Infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, schools, airport, bridges, electricity and machinery,” said Mr. Odonga Otto, the Chairperson of Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee.

This situation is simply unbelievable.  If we get to power, we shall ensure that Presidential pledges are phased out, and donations made when cash is available and limits must be clearly defined.  And, majority of pledges unpaid to be written off as many must have been for political gain to ensure regime longevity, yet those that can be incorporated in genuinely fundable projects by Government shall be considered that way as it should be the right way to handle projects.

Have UPDF much more into direct production

The tax payer in Uganda is spending colossal sums on maintaining Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF).  We see that the outlook of UPDF should change so that instead of being involved in other people’s conflicts, it gets more involved in direct production in Uganda.

Positive effort to boost Uganda’s Competitiveness

Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, a globally-acclaimed academic, once said the reason why countries like Uganda seem to be trapped in the cycle of economic underdevelopment is because of the weak political class whose major worry is how to retain power, not how to move the country economically forward.  A visit to the so many supermarkets in Uganda—and a close sample analysis of the products on market shows that there are few Ugandan products to carry home. So, whose products are Ugandans purchasing? Who sowed this mentality in the minds of Ugandans that good things come from abroad?

Efforts are to be made to implement proposals that can see a boost to Uganda’s position in Global Competitive Index (GCI), Uganda’s overall performance declined by two places from 121 (out of 142 economies) in 2011/12 to 123 (out of 144 economies) in 2012/13.  One reason for the negative competitiveness in Uganda is corruption.  Efforts shall be made to see at minimal with serious penalties to the corrupt as one way to boost the country’

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOLLOWING OIL DISCOVERY IN UGANDA

Given the discovery of Oil in Uganda, it s important to note that oil has the potential to transform Uganda’s economy from the poorest to the richest economies in the world, but it also creates new risks and challenges for the country, this against the background that no country in Sub – Saharan Africa has achieved sustainable growth and stable development from oil.  Oil production has the potential to plunge Uganda into abject poverty, environmental degradation, political instability and misery.

We promise to put in effective, transparent and accountable state structures and institutions to ensure that oil production translates into economic development and tangible benefits by all the people in Uganda.  Where Uganda is concerned, there is need to create the best investment climate which will ensure the country to get money in, then job creation, services, boost in industrial activities hence the uplift of the standard of living of the masses.

The people of Uganda should look forward to oil improving their quality of life.  They should expect increased national prosperity with commercial oil production as our Government will invest in roads, power, plants, education, health services and other social economic infrastructure.  The general public should expect an end of donor dependence and conditionality hence regaining economic sovereignty.  Oil will be no curse to the country as no few influentials will benefit living majority in abject poverty following a solid code of conduct to be put in place to deal with conflict of interest.

Laws in place governing Oil in Uganda will have to be reviewed and consensus arrived at in national interest.  Uganda should discontinue the practice of negotiating Individual Petroleum Sharing Agreements (PSAs), but instead adopt Competitive Auctioning Process.  Competitive Auctioning Process will help in striking a balance between getting responsible foreign investment into the country and ensuring that it comes on the best possible terms for the Ugandan people.

We ought to know that oil companies have one aim: to maximize their own profits.  Companies do whatever they can to cut costs and decrease their tax burden.  Government ought to counter this with detailed regulation, Petroleum Sharing Agreements (PSAs) and strong oversight.  These companies are never willing to do things that cost them money unless you tell them to, and then, you need to look over their shoulder and as, is it what we agreed to do?  It is important to emphasize the role of the Parliament of Uganda regarding the oversight on the industry.  All the regulations would mean nothing unless the Government actually works to hold Oil Companies accountable, and this is Parliament responsibility.

We shall create and enforce strong specific environmental regulations for the Oil industry, more so, how to dispose off the by – products, and water made toxic when it is pumped into Oil wells.

We shall have to avoid the Dutch disease – where additional revenues from Oil will end up not putting pressure on demand for domestic goods and services in away that consequently raises the value of the local currency (real exchange rate appreciation) and makes tradable goods uncompetitive. 

THE NATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING SECRETARIAT IN UGANDA

A report of the African Governors of the World Bank dated September 28, 1996 and addressed to Mr. James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group on the subject of Partnership for capacity Building in Africa suggested that one of the instruments to be used in the implementation of the Governor’s report was the establishment of a National Capacity Building Secretariat in each participating country in Africa.  The Secretariat would be the focal point for all capacity building activities in the country and would among other tasks, coordinate and provide leadership to the country’s capacity building efforts.  The African Governor’s had defined “Capacity” as the people, institutions and practices that enable countries to achieve their development goals, and “Capacity building” as investment in human capital, in institutions and in practices.

Following the report of the African Governors, a World Bank “Regional Workshop on Strategy and Approach for Implementation” was held in Kampala, on July 6 – 8, 1997, and it made a number of recommendations aimed at bringing the proposals of the African Governors closer to reality.

We shall support and fund the National Capacity Building Secretariat in Uganda to be able to carry out the following functions:

Coordinate all activities dealing with capacity building in the country,

Provide a vision and set of priorities and guidelines for capacity building,

Develop national priorities, strategies and programmes for capacity building and coordinate national technical cooperation programmes,

Act as a Central Clearing House to receive and disseminate information on capacity building and maintain records of all capacity related activities, and keep an inventory of relevant, accurate data base,

Evaluate the implementation of all capacity building programmes,

Participate in the planning and establishment of regional centres of excellence, regional capacity building secretariats and regional information network on capacity building.  

 DEALING WITH EMERGING HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES

According to the 16^th Annual Report 2013 of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), there are some emerging Human Rights concerns, these include: increasing incidents of murder; increasing students’ strikes in schools; the challenges of human trafficking; the state of media freedom; and freedom of assembly and demonstration.  Other emerging issues are the delays in the salaries of public servants (some up to 4 – 5 months); youth unemployment and underemployment as well as the plight of older persons.

Proposal to handle incidences of murder

We shall conduct thorough and expeditious investigations into the murders to apprehend and prosecute the culprits as well as manage the fear and anxiety among communities and the country at large;

Spearhead the development of a special prevention and response mechanism to prevent the re – occurrence of such murders, including intensification of community policing programmes and deployment in affected areas;

Scaling up the numbers and professional capacity of detectives to be more effective in detecting and preventing crime;

Conducting mass community sensitization on the importance of residents refraining from tampering with scenes of crime to enable the investigators to get reliable findings particularly in murder cases;

Keeping members of the public updated on the progress on the murder cases so as to re – assure them about the security situation in their communities as well as re – build public confidence and trust in the Police, and

To ensure all security agencies strengthen the control of arms, use and movement.

Handling Human Trafficking

There will be need to harmonize policies in place regarding the operations of companies that assist Ugandans to get employment out of Uganda.  No Ugandan should get involved in such employment without having got relevant Government department clearance.

Handling Media Freedoms

Media managers and journalists need to adhere to the set professional code of ethics and practices,

Security personnel that violate rights of journalists to be brought to book and actions taken made public,

Government to increase funding to Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) to be able to train and sensitize media proprietors, managers and practitioners on their role in the promotion of Human Rights as well as their duties and responsibilities that come with the right to information and media freedom.

Handling Freedom of Assembly and Demonstration

The Uganda Police Force should exercise its discretionary powers judiciously by respecting Article 221 of the 1995 Constitution, which makes it a duty of all law enforcement agencies to observe and respect Human Rights and freedoms in the performance of their functions,

The Uganda Police Force should desist from the use of excessive force and ensure punishment of errant security officers,

The Uganda Law Reform Commission and Parliament should review the Public Order Management Act, 2013 together with the Police Act 303 and Penal Code Act Cap 120 so that they are brought in line with the Constitution,

Institutions of Justice that is: Uganda Police Force, Directorate of Public Prosecutions and the Judiciary should ensure that the Prevention and Prohibition of the Torture Act 2012 is implemented by bringing to book perpetrators of torture.

FLOODS, LANDSLIDES & PROLONGED DRY SPELLS

Government to establish a Disaster Preparedness and Management Commission to deal with disasters in accordance with Article 249 (1) of the Constitution of Uganda and have it well funded given the projections in disasters

To strengthen interventions such as resettlement of survivors in landslide prone areas as well as get durable solutions

To implement a flood management strategy for all districts prone to fllods with among other measures de – silting rivers

To address effects of climate change on the communities within the Cattle Corridor

ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

To ensure that Uganda Licensing Board and Uganda Police Force strengthen the implementation of the Traffic and Road Safety Act. Cap 361, specifically in regard to section 59 (a) and (i) of the Act which provides for Testing drivers/instructors and regulating Driving Schools.  In addition, Section 103 and 106 on Inspection of all vehicles to be enforced

To adequately facilitate the National Road Safety Council to undertake preventive measures including Road Safety Campaigns.

The Ministry of Works & Transport to inspect existing roads in order to re-design and reconstruct them hence remove Black spots, constantly seal pot holes, place traffic lights and as well come up with Road Signs that are not easily vandalized.

ATTRACTING FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) TO UGANDA

When a country has unpredictable political climate like is the case of Uganda together with high levels of corruption and a depreciating currency, chances of meaningful Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows are likely to be negatively impacted on.

FDI inflows to the East African Community (EAC) fell by 5.4% to $3.6bn in 2013.  The overall decline was driven by a fall in FDI flows to Rwanda and Uganda.  The stagnating FDI flows to Uganda resulted from a decline in downstream activities in the Oil & Gas Sector.

Source: Uganda Investment Review Issue 3, Vol.1

SENSORING COMMUNICATION

There is a very big problem in Uganda as regards censoring communication content.  This is mostly done in the name of National Security; however, some of us who have already fallen victim see it as a strategy for the Museveni regime longevity!  It is true that Uganda is one of the most liberal markets in Africa and where the number of mobile subscribers has overtaken fixed line users.  The country should be poised to become one of the most vibrant and dynamic in the region, but censoring is greatly likely to reverse the gains.

We shall endeavour to see what can be done to ensure that people in Uganda are not discouraged from using ICT but continue to take advantage of innovations as they come as well as see to the practical methods of seeing lower cost and efficient service delivery.

DEVELOPMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE

It is well known that infrastructure development and modernization is critical in economic development initiatives. 

According to figures from Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda, we are losing more than Sh200 billion annually through corruption in public procurement deals. This amount authenticates the latest findings in the Auditor General reports and the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets on the extent of corruption in public procurements.

Source: The Monitor of Sunday, October 21, 2012.  Article: Who let the ghosts out?

We shall:

Ensure that procurement procedures are not corrupted to the extent of having infrastructure projects in Uganda the most expensive in the world;

Make sure that Government officers don’t keep taking a percentage of the projected cost which leads to either an upward costing of projects and or sub –standard work;

Not use infrastructure projects to finance continuity in Government and bribing the people as has been seen in the most recent history of Uganda;

Ensure that only companies with repute take up infrastructure projects.

THE MINING SECTOR

The Mining Industry in Uganda reached peak levels in the 1950’s and 1960’s when the sector accounted for up to 30% of Uganda’s export earnings.

Strategy in the Mining Sector

We shall come up with cost effective energy that can be used in extracting minerals in Uganda;

We shall industrially extract Phosphates from the Phosphate reserves in eastern Uganda which are estimated to contain at least 230 m tones of high quality phosphate rock.

We shall extract Beryllium from Beryl.  This is found in Ntungamo, Bushenyi, Kanungu and Rukungiri districts as well as Mbale Estate and Lunya in Mubende and Mukono districts.

We shall see good progress take place regarding the Copper extraction & Cobalt at Kasese.

A lot more to be done in Gold undertakings given that Gold is widely distributed in Uganda

Many more metallic minerals to be mined and processed for national good after actual feasibilities are undertaken and the undertakings okayed for economic purposes.

PLACES OF DETENTION

It is true, in Uganda there is a lot of rot.  In the process of handling the rotten people in whatever way they manifest, it will be of utmost importance to ensure that the places of detention are habitable given the conditions prevailing today in many.  We shall be charged with upgrading the places of detention as it will be inevitable not to prosecute the perpetual criminals many of whom are responsible for the backwardness of the country.

Among areas to handle:

Phasing out of the use of buckets for toilets,

Constructing as well rehabilitating buildings,

Constructing Juvenile cells,

Constructing of Female wings where they do not exist,

Acquisition of new skills by prison inmates,

Stopping the abuse of prisoners when their labour is exploited by the prison officers in deals with big farmers in localities,

See to reduced number of inmates on remand,

Provision of food, much of which the prisoners should be able to contribute to when they offer their labour in prison farms/gardens.

Ensure that right disciplinary measures are observed for inmates.

Cases of long and arbitrary detention must be addressed.  These arise when suspects are arrested before conclusion of investigations, delays in sanctioning files by State Attorneys, Irregular Court sittings, poor staffing, and lack of means to transport suspects to court and lack of logistics for work.

BIODIVERSITY

We depend on biodiversity for food, medicine, cloth, building materials among other things.  Much of Uganda’s hard currency earnings come from the sale of biodiversity.  However, despite its importance, biodiversity in Uganda is under threat and some plants and animals have become extinct.

Strategy

We shall work with various authorities in the country to ensure that Biodiversity is handled as recommended by the professionals without fear of favour.

THE BIO – TRADE INITIATIVE

The Bio – trade initiative as introduced in Uganda with the aim of promoting the trade part of the country’s export diversification efforts, to promote sustainable utilization of the resource base on which the products and services are dependent, improve livelihoods of the rural communities, as well as create employment.

However, the Bio – trade sector in Uganda has challenges which include:

Lengthy process to become a member of the Union of Ethical Bio – trade (UEBT),

Lack of labels that include the requirement (Ethical Bio – Trade Labels)

Limited Research Centres on benefit sharing and ecological sustainability,

Lack of appropriate technology for value addition,

Less effort on marketing and supply chain management

Growing demand for Organic Certification especially for natural ingredients,

Competition from other countries,

Reliance on traditional varieties

We promise to get in touch with authorities in this undertaking, evaluate what is required in monetary terms as well as other infrastructure to have Bio – trade thrive in a healthy way to benefit the country and the players in it.

MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE AND PROTECTED AREAS

We shall ensure that the mission statement of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is upheld to the later, that is, “To conserve, economically develop and sustainably manage the wildlife and protected areas of Uganda in partnership with neighbouring communities and other stakeholders for the benefit of the people of Uganda and the global community.”

ECOSYSTEMS IN UGANDA

All critical ecosystems in Uganda (forests, wetlands, fisheries, agricultural /arable lands and rangelands) are severely stressed in all districts, albeit with some variations.  The most affected ecosystems are those in areas of high population density.  Poverty incidences are high; where ecosystems are naturally fragile, around urban areas; and where there has been conflict.  In all these areas, interventions are required at both policy and local level.

The way forward

It is important to note that some people in Uganda have used and misused their positions to negatively impact on the ecosystems.  We shall not recognize any person’s position and or political connections as license to abuse and misuse of the ecosystems.

 It is also true that many policies are in place, however, thse have to be translated to suite the prevailing conditions.

Effort shall be made to diversify the rural economy from one that mainly depends on nature.

PRIVATE SECTOR & GOVERNMENT DIALOGUE

In 2004, Uganda’s business community through Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) established a regular dialogue process with the Uganda Government to discuss the major policy concerns of the Private Sector as well as suggest possible reforms to help improve the business environment in Uganda.

We shall continue a healthy dialogue between the PSFU and Government for the better health of Uganda business undertakings.

PRESIDENTIAL INVESTORS ROUND TABLE (PIRT) MEETINGS

The Presidential Investors’ round Table (PIRT) meetings bring together key actors from both the private and public sector to form a common agenda for accelerating economic development.

We shall maintain fruitful dialogue for the better health of business undertakings under PIRT and ensure continuity as well as proper address of constraints raised.

PUBLIC – PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (PPP)

The Public – Private Partnership (PPP) policy provides a framework to enable public and private sectors to work together to improve public service delivery through private sector provision of public infrastructure and related services.  PPP refers to a medium to long term contractual arrangement between public and private sector to finance, construct/renovate, manage and/or maintain a public, infrastructure, or the provision of a public service.

We shall review the law that established the PPP, to see that in built controls are the right ones given the way the corrupt are cheating the tax payer in Uganda; the other objectives for review will be:

Cost effective delivery

Good quality services

Clear customer focus

Enhanced service delivery

Enhanced incentives

Better asset utilization

More project delivery

Wider economic benefits

MILLENNUIM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs)

According to Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Uganda has already met two of its seventeen MDG targets – halving the number of people living in absolute poverty and achieving debt sustainability – and is on track to achieve another eight. Despite this success, there are a number of areas where progress remains slow, has stagnated or has experienced a reversal. Trends in maternal mortality and HIV-AIDS are particularly worrying, given their direct impact on the lives of so many Ugandans. We hope this report serves as a platform from which to galvanize a national response to these challenges and helps mobilize the will, resources and efforts to accelerate progress and enable Uganda achieve the MDG commitments by 2015.

Source: Drivers of MDG Progress in Uganda and the Implications for the Post-2015 Development Agenda.   Millennium Development Goals Report for Uganda 2013.  Special theme: Drivers of MDG Progress in Uganda and Implications for the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Whether the UN Resident Coordinator’s words are factual, it may be difficult to establish.  However, if we get to office, we shall have machinery to establish the truth about the MDGs and targets. 

The reasons for shortfalls in Uganda are:

Poor Governance marked by corruption

Poor economic policy choices

Denial of Human Rights

A poverty trap with local and national economy too poor to make needed investments

We shall do the following to make better the MGD indicators in Uganda:

Promote vibrant rural communities, by increasing food productivity of smaller farmers, raising rural incomes, and expanding rural access to essential public services and infrastructure;

Promote vibrant urban areas, by encouraging job creation in competitive manufactures and services, upgrading slums, and providing alternatives to slum formation,

Ensuring universal access to essential health services in a well functioning health system,

Ensuring meaningful universal enrolment and completion of primary education and expansion of access to post primary and higher education,

Overcoming pervasive gender bias,

Improving environmental management;

Building Uganda’s Capacity in Science, technology and innovation

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

We shall have the mission to empower youth to develop their D.R.E.A.M (Dynamic, Realizable, Efforts to Attain and Maintain Success) and to own their future; this through the use of the 4 H Principle that is: the Head; have one’s Heart concentration; use one’s Hands and maintain good Health.

Our major objective will be to help the youth develop their physical, mental, social and spiritual capacities so that they can grow to full maturity as Independent individuals and productive members of society; empowering them to become leaders of character, vision and action in their communities by challenging their creativity and equipping them with practical, confidence  - building and marketing skills.

SUPPORT WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Support to be through:

Establishing high – level corporate leadership for gender equality,

Treating all women and men fairly at work,

 Ensuring the health, safety and well – being of all,

Promoting education, training and professional development for women,

Implementing enterprise development, supply chain and marketing practices that empower women,

Promotion of equality through community initiatives and advocacy,

Measuring and publically reporting on progress to achieve gender equality.  

REVIVAL OF THE COOPERATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE

We shall borrow a leaf from the infrastructure of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Government to see how to put right whatever has gone wrong with the Cooperative Movement.  After 5 years, the Cooperative infrastructure should be vibrant and healthy and a big pillar in the economic development of Uganda.

 HANDLING OF THE CONSOLIDATED FUND

If we get to Government, we shall ensure that the Consolidated Fund is credited according to the Votes.  A case in point, if Agriculture gets 10 % of the National Budget, a credit of shs 10bn into the Consolidated Fund should have shs 3bn posted as balance to Agriculture.  What this means is that each vote will be able to benefit without discrimination, and planned activities will easily be implemented.  It is in instances where such a vote may have surplus that an agreed mechanism may be used to get part of the money from a given vote.  The budget in this case will be judiciously funded.

All financial institutions involved in Collecting Government revenue will be required to remit daily balances collected to Bank of Uganda to avoid tampering with Government collections.

COMPANSATE FOR BUGANDA LAND DUE TO UNPLANNED DEVELOPMENT

For the time the NRM Government has been in power, the planning function has not been that functional.  What has come out of this is the pressure on land within the area where growth has been witnessed.  This is Buganda region.  Many of the successful people in Uganda have some land and economic undertakings.  This has displaced many people traditionally on this land – the Baganda.  This has been easily facilitated following the arrangement where a few people in Buganda are rich Mailo land owners.  This has made it easy for the beneficiaries of the NRM Governance to buy land where the economy is booming.  The outcome of this is that many Baganda are to end up as paupers in Uganda.  Land appreciates at a very fast rate and many cannot afford to buy land using their meager incomes.

The way forward is that following the establishment of regional governments (the Federal arrangement in Uganda), those in charge will be requested to come up with land to compensate Buganda.  The Baganda needing land should then be able to be allocated part of Buganda land realized in other regions of Uganda.   

THE COMMUNITY AS THE EPITOME FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

We want to have the Local Community set – up as the engine for local development initiatives.  Community initiatives will be Learning centered, Problem solving, Self discovery and Action Oriented.  The people will be inducted into Community Dialogue – which will be a continuous mutual exchange of views, ideas and opinions between people and or groups of people aimed at developing mutual understanding and seeking a solution.  They will, under the guidance of Community Dialogue Facilitators recognize existing Knowledge, Skills and capabilities of communities that can be used to improve or change their situation for the better.

Ideas as developed at Local Community level which in this case will be a village level shall then be incorporated into sub – county plans and eventually district plans so that resources can be budgeted to see to the funding of projects beyond community means.

The Community Driven Initiatives will also see to the popularization of Self Help Initiatives as vehicles for the promotion of savings and financial empowerment for participating members.

REVIVAL OF THE COOPERATIVE BANK

It is true that the NRM Government contributed greatly to the eventual collapse of the Cooperative Bank.  Initially, vehicles that were owned by the Cooperatives were taken by NRM/A while the LIBERATION WAR WAS ON.  Physical cash was taken by the NRA/M from the Cooperative Bank.  And, highly placed people in Government benefitted from the cash resources of the Cooperative bank and were partly responsible for the liquidity problems of the bank.

If we are given State power, Government will look to partners to capitalize the Cooperative bank with the possibility of getting shares sold to the people of Uganda.

ELIMINATION OF DUPLICATION IN GOVERNMENT WHICH CAUSES CONFLICT

Ever since NRM captured power in 1986, there have been institutions created which have not only fuel conflict but have led to expenditures that would have been avoided.  A case in point is the District Administrators who are the President’s representatives but whose roles have ended up causing conflict and reduced efficiency.  There are already studies showing areas in Government where duplication exists and can be eliminated for promotion of efficiency and reduced expenditure.

WATER FOR PRODUCTION

In Uganda we still use rudimentary methods of production.  Our farmers greatly rely on the weather in growing crops.  Time has come for Uganda to seriously implement strategies to see water used for production purposes.

The objective is to have in place the implementation of the development of the Country’s water resources for production purposes.  This comprises:

1.      Water for crops

2.      Water for livestock and wildlife

3.      Water for aquaculture (to promote Fish Farming among other undertakings)

4.      Water for rural industries.

It is important to remember that Agriculture is the mainstay of Uganda’s economy, but so far, Agriculture in Uganda has mainly been based on rain – fed farming, not on irrigation.  The revolution has to take off.

REVIVAL OF UGANDA AIRLINES

Uganda needs to have Uganda Airlines back.  This is to be properly handled to see how capitalization can be made.  The Presidential Jet will be phased out so that planes are acquired to boost Uganda Airlines.  The Airline to be a viable undertaking shall have to recover all its original routes as well as the Cargo handling services.

PHASE OUT LOCAL COUNCILS

When the NRM introduced the Resistance Councils, in many parts of Uganda, there had been effective local government infrastructures.  If we get to office, the federal arrangement and operations will be agreed to and each region shall come up with a formula for local governance which will see the current LC system phased out.  What is important to having people’s effective representation but at a cost effective level.

REVIEW OF TAX RATES

It is agreed that high tax rates lead to tax evasion.  This is a reality in Uganda.  If we get to Government, we shall deploy experts to review the tax rates as chances are that with lower tax rates, compliance may be easy and much more revenue may be realized.  Secondly, it is believed that Government loses a lot of income that would come from land transactions.  It will be required that land purchase transactions will only be finalized when there id proof (photo copy of a bank draft) that was used in the transaction.  This will make it easy to levy tax on land.  The charges to purchase the bank draft/cheque will be reduced from the amount due in taxes, so that the client pays the balance.  A strategy shall be put in place which may include rewarding informers of those who deliberately avoid paying Government taxes.

TAX ON GOVERNMENT & LEDGER FEES

Government operations are funded from the Consolidated Fund.  If tax is put on Government, this is a charge to the Consolidated Fund which has to be raised from the available Vote of the Ministry/Department or Project.

If we are elected to office, the tax on Government which calls for a charge on the Consolidated Fund shall be scrapped.  However, where a Government Department has a service on offer where a charge or tax is payable/applicable to the beneficiaries, such a Department shall collect the charge/tax through a designated bank (s) as shall be agreed to by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

Ledger fees charged on deposits to school dues and Government Collections shall be phased out.  Ledger fees is payable by the account owner/operator NOT a depositor.

AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM (APRM)

Uganda was one of the pioneer countries that acceded to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) at its inception in 2003.  In February 2005 there was commencement of the Country’s Self – Assessment Process.

We love to see Uganda on the right road in which case, we shall get the Country’s Review Report (CRR) and have it studied.  Areas that need the Government to address shall all be handled.  Time is now to stop using Uganda’s history as a Scape – goat for the country’s problems.  We must appreciate that because we are selfish, corrupt, and don’t practice what we preach, with so many not having the country at heart, we keep rotting on.  This state of affairs shall be addressed head – on so that Uganda gets to a model of Good Governance that all Ugandans should cherish.

MOBILIZATION OF BLOOD

We are aware that there is generally a blood shortage in the country, yet there is no price that can be attached to blood.  In the circumstances, a strategy to see expanded capacity to handle blood and regional facilities shall be a priority.  A package of incentives shall be lined up as benefits to any person who will voluntarily donate blood.  The incentives shall be incorporated in the budget of the National Blood Bank.  This should be positive enough to keep the Blood Bank with more than enough supply of blood.

Also, Ambulance services shall be improved so that an Ambulance can get to the scene of an accident in a short time equipped with life support facilities and personnel that can handle emergencies.

CAPTURING AREAS WHERE GOVERNMENT IS INVOLVED

Within the 1^st year of operation as a new Government, we should be able to capture in one data base all the areas where the Government of Uganda is operational in the sense that it dispenses money in form of support to the operations of various undertakings.  A group of experts will then study the areas that should be maintained and those that should be combined so as to be within our set objectives of getting the country on to the road to the “Promised Land,’ which is the ideal in line with the Pearl of Africa which Uganda should be.  To clarify on this, Members of Parliament have complained about Government paying salaries of teachers in Kampala International University (KIU).  There is NO reason whatsoever that tax resources can unjustifiably be spent on boosting a private University undertaking, when it is not being done uniformly.

We should also be able within the 1^st year to come up with harmonized pay to Government workers and the incentive packages that should be seen as fair pay given the cost of living, and challenges of corruption as well as qualifications of individuals in the various employment and experience they may have in the field.  This should help the country to get back some of the highly qualified personnel currently out of the country.

RETURN CONFIDENCE INTO WORKING FOR GOVERNMENT

A number of people today can not apply for Government jobs even when well qualified.  They do this to maintain credibility.  A case in point is the way all the former executives of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) have left office in recent times.  The invisible hand interferes with the decision making of many reputed executives such that it is better to leave applying for Government jobs to maintain credibility.

We shall ensure that people contracted or employed to do key jobs are left to use their abilities to decide what is best without political interference which makes them implement decisions that are otherwise wrong or not financially justified.

THE NATIONAL TRADE POLICY

The National Trade Policy (NTP) is premised on the vision “To transform Uganda into a dynamic and competitive economy in which the trade sector stimulates the productive sectors; and to trade the country out of poverty, into wealth and prosperity.”  The overall goal of the policy is “to develop and nurture private sector competitiveness, and to support the productive sectors of the economy to trade at both domestic and international levels, with the ultimate objective of creating wealth, employment, enhancing social welfare and transforming Uganda from a poor peasant society into a modern society.”

Given that the Trade Policy is charged with the primary role of eliminating barriers to trade, and providing an enabling environment in which the private sector will thrive and build capacity to produce quality goods and services competitively, reliably, and on a sustainable basis, it will be our priority to review the NTP with the stakeholders to have it rhyme with the objectives being advocated for in this dispensation.

ADDRESSING EFFECTIVENESS OF MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSRTY AND FISHERIES PROJECTS

The BMAU Briefing Paper (1/11) published in March 2011 stated that, “More than half of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry & Fisheries (MAAIF) Development Projects have not been effective in reaching a wide – section of the farming community and neither have they contributed substantially to the planned sector outcomes.

Observations:

1.      There has been poor allocative efficiency in MAAIF Development Projects;

2.      Projects are poorly designed with limited scope in terms of geographical coverage and reach;

3.      The positive impacts of the projects are not sustained over the long – term due to poor monitoring and supervision beyond project life and lack of sustainability plans.

What we intend to do:

        I.            Reverse the practice where almost half of the project funds are spent on operational expenses such as Workshops, seminars, allowances and fuel, leaving a small portion to delivery of goods and services;

      II.            Address the long term sustainability of the projects as a result of lack of project exit and sustainability plans as well as limited monitoring by the Ministry.

    III.            Future development projects to be improved to cover larger areas geographically and many beneficiaries for meaningful impact with sustainability plans to ensure that the benefits are sustained over the long term.

ISSUES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

        I.            Having outstanding Presidential Pledges should be phased out such that donations are made when there are resources, but no pledges; and those outstanding should be written off.  Instead, Local Governments should include then in their work plans funds allowing.

      II.            The Indicative Planning Figures (IPFs) for grants such as SFG, Road Rehabilitation Grant, PRDP grants and road maintenance grant under URF should have a parameter for uniqueness of terrain and varying cost of construction to be meaningful.

    III.            There is need to ensure that there is no delay and or issuance of contradictory guidelines as regards Conditional grants transfers by some Line Ministries and Agencies.

  IV.            The need to keep inflation as low as possible.  Local Governments are concerned by the increasing cost of delivering of services as a result of high inflationary tendencies.  This makes contract management hard as contractors demand for adjustments in the contract sum yet budgets are fixed for the financial year.

    V.            The complaints regarding delay by the Solicitor General to provide response to procurements worth shs 50m and above submitted for approval to the extent of some taking up to 4 months.  This calls for action to see efficiency promoted.

  VI.            The need to come up with realistic figures by Government when handling Graduated tax compensation to the Local Governments as currently the figures are miserable.

VII.            The funding issues for Local Governments call for a new law that will see creation of Regional Governments (Federal States) that will absorb existing districts and outline the operations and streamlining of staff and other logistics.

     

WHO IS KIWANUKA KITUUKA?

BIO – DATA
Name: Kiwanuka Kituuka
District of Birth: Wakiso
Age: 55
Nationality: Ugandan
Parents: The Late Besuel Kiwanuka and Penina Kiwanuka of Ssisa Busiro – Wakiso district.
Grand Parent: Late Lazalo Ssebayizzi of Ssisa Busiro.
Clan: Mamba (A Muganda)
Qualifications: B. A. (Hons) Economics/Rural Economy degree of Makerere University; Banking; Good Governance Training; Computer Literacy.
Working Experience: Commercial Banking; Teaching; Writing for public consumption; publishing; Career Guidance; Project writing; Restructuring undertakings; Website designing; General Innovative Consultancy Service Provision
Box No: 2678, Kampala.

Kiwanuka Kituuka was born to the Late Besuel Kiwanuka and Penina Nabumba Kiwanuka who were at Namutamba Demonstration School (Mubende district then) on October 12, 1959.  Kituuka was delivered by a birth attendant who was well known for her services at Matugga in current Wakiso district. 

Kituuka had his first appreciation of reading and writing at home at Kasaka when his father the Late Besuel Kiwanuka was Headmaster of Kasaka Primary School.  This was around 1965.

 The arrow is pointing to Kiwanuka Kituuka  - 1966 and family members of Kiwanuka (RIP)

In 1966, the Late Besuel Kiwanuka was transferred back to Namutamba, this time as a teacher at the then Namutamba Teachers’ College.  Kituuka started his Primary one at Namutamba Demonstration School the same year.

In 1967, the Late Besuel Kiwanuka went to Makerere University for upgrading.  The family then transferred to Ssisa Sub – county (Gayaza Village) in the then Mpigi district where there is the family residence.  This change negatively affected Kituuka’s studies as he was enrolled at Ssisa Primary School when there was no Primary two that particular year!  Early 1968, the family transferred back to Namutamba Teachers’ College and Kituuka joined Primary three, having lost a whole year of what should have been covered in Primary two.  Kituuka was registered in Primary four, and in that class, Mr. Matembe who was the Science teacher helped Kituuka appreciate gardening and a lot of practical gardening was being done at School.  At that time, all the family members who were schooling at Namutamba could go back home for lunch as it was not a big distance.

In 1971, the Late Besuel Kiwanuka had further studies to do at Makerere University, which prompted him to transfer the family back to Ssisa.  This time, Kituuka’s late father managed to get places for him at Kitende Primary School which is a number of Miles from the Ssisa residence.  There was an opportunity for free transport in the mornings offered by Lutakome (RIP) of Lutaba who could take Kituuka and his sister early each morning up to Kajjansi trading centre, where Lutakome used to pick a teacher for his school every morning before he (Lutakome) proceeded to work at Entebbe Government Printery.  For the whole of 1971, transport to school was free by the services of Lutakome, though the two used to foot back from school.  Unfortunately, there was only one teacher for the Primary 5 class and a number of subjects were not taught as would have been required!

In 1972, the Late Kiwanuka transferred his family back to Namutamba Teachers’ College, and it was a challenge for Kituuka to cope up given that a lot of what should have been taught was actually not taught and he was generally behind and it was not easy catching up with others over what had been lost as he studied Primary Six at Namutamba Demonstration School. He was however passed primary six and was promoted to Primary seven at the same school.  Though Kituuka had tried his level best to cover what had been lost in the course of 1971 when at Kitende, he was finally not able to get a first grade, instead he was in 2^nd grade and the option was to repeat.  Kituuka did not lose courage, he fought on.  It so happened that someone has called to Namutamba from Mubende district and announced that the best 10 students from the district were to get bursaries.  When the results of 1973 were released, Kituuka had emerged the best at Namutamba Demonstration School!  And, fortunately, he managed to be among the 10 best in the district, which qualified him for a bursary during his secondary school.

Kituuka had put St. Mary’s College Kisubi as his 1^st choice.  He was admitted to the school where he spent 4 years of Ordinary level up to 1977 and belonged to Lourdel House.  He was fortunate to be admitted back to the same school for higher studies, 1978 – 1979.  At the time, all Higher School students were catered for by their districts so there was no tuition fees paid.  One fortunate thing while still at secondary was that Kituuka was given opportunity to read his books in holiday, and this greatly contributed to excelling at studies.

Kituuka was admitted to Makerere University in 1980, where he ended up with an Honours degree in Economics/ Rural Economy.  At Makerere University, he belonged to Mitchell Hall.  He completed his degree in 1983 and graduated in January 1984.  While a student at Makerere, he used to teach and most of the teaching was at Kawotto Saviours Primary School – Kajjansi Trading Centre. 

The 1^st employment Kituuka got in 1983 was at the then Standard Bank as a clerk.  He worked for 3 months and resigned as the salary was really little given the same scale with S. 4 leavers.  Shortly after wards, he got in touch with the Late Bakka of Namutamba Tea Estate who induced him to go and help the Namutamba Community revive Namutamba Secondary School.  Kituuka agreed and was there for one term as Headmaster.  He left Namutamba Secondary School and joined Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB) as a Trainee Accountant in 1984.  He was posted to UCB Jinja Main where he was up to early 1987.  In 1987, he got a transfer to the then UCB Kampala Savings, which later was changed to UCB Nkrumah Road Branch.  He resigned as Accountant in 1988 and joined Nile Bank.

In 1988 Kituuka joined Nile Bank and was in charge of Administration.  At some point in time, he was in charge of administration as well as Cash and Corporate Account.  He left the Nile Bank in 1991.

From 1992 to 2001, Kituuka was involved in Journalism and Publishing.  He started Career Tips Magazine and was its editor.  The Magazine focused on Career Guidance and Counseling.  He performed as a freelance journalist for a number of news papers including, the new vision; the defunct the Crusader; the defunct the Market Place and Finance and Trade news papers.  He was one time editor of the Enterprise Magazine of the then Makerere University Commerce Association.

Kituuka was proprietor of Kajjansi College.  The school was started in 1989 and in 1991 when it had reached Secondary three; it was handed over to Rebecca Nsangi who eventually became Headmistress of the school after it relocated to Lweza under the name Kajjansi progressive. 

Kituuka got involved in the formation of Makerere University Private Students’ Parents’ Association (MUPRISPA) as one of the founding members with the objective of helping address the plight of privately sponsored students at the University.  As a MUPRISA member, Kituuka was involved in the drafting the Educational Loan Scheme, hence came up with “A Comprehensive feasible and Sustainable Educational Loan Scheme in Uganda,” as well as “Identifying Clientile for the Educational Loan Scheme and Loan recovery measures.”  The organization was able to get the University better address odds that inflicted the privately sponsored students.

Kituuka has been involved in Career Guidance literature publication.  Among the schools were Uganda Martyrs S. S Namugongo in 2002; Trinity College Nabingo in June 2003 and St. Joseph Naggalama in 2004.

Kituuka was involved in the promotion of Moringa oleifera enterprise in Uganda to the extent of publishing a booklet by the name: The Miracle Tree (Compiled Notes on Moringa oleifera).

Kituuka was involved in a number of Consultancy Services including for the Mothers’ Union for Namirembe Diocese; wrote the project proposal for Namulanda Technical Institute.    

From 2005, Kituuka got involved in the preparation of St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) Centenary Celebrations which were held in 2006.  He was editor of the SMACK Centenary Magazine.  He mobilized the Old Boys of the school for the function.  He wrote the History of SMACK from 1906 – 2006.  He made a number of Publications under the Morning Star Magazine, a publication by the Old Boys of SMACK.

He has been an advocate for Good Governance hence the registration of Good Governance Practice as a Community Based Organization in Wakiso.  He was able to make a number of blogs on the Internet responding to a number of issues of Governance nature and general information of benefit to the public.