Wednesday, September 1, 2010
A Kind Appeal for Moral Support and Funding for my Independent Presidential Candidate bid
“…I do not know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know, the only one among you who will be really happy are those who will have thought and found how to serve, how to show compassion and a will to help others…,” ALBERT SHWEITZER, one of the greatest Christians of his time who was bestowed with a Noble Prize in 1952.
BIO – DATA
My name: William Kituuka Kiwanuka
District of Birth: Wakiso
Age: 51
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
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
Residence: A Children’s Home
Box No: 33917, Kampala.
Telephone: +256714981628
Contact/Feed back: http://goodgovernancepractice.webs.com/contactme.htm
« Time is now to change the rich men syndrome which makes poor people poorer and they end up losing morale. A rich man can fool you the way he wants. You can dig for him and he tells you to collect the money the following day yet when he has the money, instead telling you to call on him the following day. As a poor man you will have nothing to say but to follow what he tells you. The poor are under looked and despised. I am offering myself to see sanity return to the poor of Uganda.”
WHY INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE?
1) I have all along been an advocate of the opposition party coalition arrangement with a clear agenda under the Inter Party Cooperation (IPC), however, when nominations for the Presidential candidates were made, it is when my eyes were opened to what I think is a wrong way forward. I advocate for such cooperation where the IPC and not individual party comes out in the final picture; which is equated to one party absorbing others. My belief is that before nomination, the parties under the arrangement would have first convened a conference where members would agree on the way forward including a joint manifesto, what I see is a diffuse arrangement that may be worse than the one popularly known as the Moshi spirit.
2) There are currently no clear ideas that the IPC is fronting which are going to be different from the current Government’s arrangement. This position would be clear as of now, instead each Party President has own party or personal ideologies as reflected at nomination.
3) Given number 1 and 2 above, I see it best an opportunity to offer myself as an Independent Presidential Candidate for 2011 General Elections for I think I have a Vision for the way forward for Ugandawhich we can jointly build on to see our country to prosperity. Work: “… if a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep even as Michaelangelo painted, Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry, he should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say – here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well. Martin Luther King. Jr. “I equally wish to offer myself for a good job for my country, William Kituuka Kiwanuka.
4) Sir Winston Churchill visited Uganda in 1908. He was overwhelmed with her beauty, hence baptizing the country, “The Pearl of Africa.” What frustrates the people of Uganda and the - would be beauty of the country are politicians who are treacherous. They hide their agendas and Ugandans end up being taken for a ride, and the final position is what we reap: underdevelopment, continued poverty, deprivation of the majority by a minority hence an increasing income gap and death of the poor victims as a frustrated lot after being used!
5) Despite several decades of economic growth and huge development aid disbursements, the number of countries called “least developed” (with per capita income less than US $900 a year has in - fact doubled since 1971, from 25 to 49 in the last decade (1990 – 2000) and despite all development efforts – not even one country was able to graduate from this group to a higher income level, with the exception of Botswana. Source: Why Poverty Reduction Programmes did not work – (Resistance to change) By Hans. U. Luther ; An Article in Development Cooperation No.3/2002 (May/June)
6) Based on No. 4 above, it is true that some of our failures as a country coming from accepting to be on the receiving end of ideas as conceived from donors; be they countries and/or bi – lateral or multi – lateral organizations, instead of coming up with our own agenda and convincing them to help fund it as a basis of our cooperation with them, it is this experimentation and or trial coupled with lack of commitment to implement projects/programmes as stipulated in agreements (not forgetting diversion of funds) that is responsible for our under development and constant beggar mentality.
7) A few years ago, I had opportunity of calling at jinja and what I saw I would hardly believe. I had lived in Jinja from 1984 to early 1987. I was working with a banking institution. That time, the exodus to banks by customers was great and the sector was very encouraging. This time around, when I passed around Busoga Square banking area, I was not impressed. It was as if a banking holiday though the bank doors were a jar. One could not see a soul of a bank customer around! This reminded me of the Cooperative Societies which used to be a vehicle for credit and marketing of farmer produce, which are long dead! The future of the Ugandan farmer and businessmen lies in cooperative pooling of resources. With sound capital invested into business entities, there is hope for competitive production of goods and services, and this is the key for the future of Uganda which should target agro – based industrialization. Given this experience, I am committed to seeing a vibrant competitive business climate a reality and the resurrection of cooperative infrastructure as a necessary vehicle in the undertaking.
8) It is also clear that as part of the way forward for Uganda , there is need to build consensus, we should stop this winner takes all mentality and have a win win position for all Ugandans if we are to see ourselves as a united people in diversity. It is against this background that I wish to advocate for a Government of National Unity and Reconciliation where all parties will play a role and have a feeling of belonging. “So, let it be said of us then that we are thinking not only of our time, that we have reached as high as our ideals, that we put aside our divisions and found a new hour of healing and hopefulness, that we joined together to serve and strengthen the land we love – the pearl of Africa: Uganda.”
9) It is unfortunate that there has developed a culture in Uganda where able bodied people who would make serious investments in the country are looking to politics as a life long career and the only means to survive. This has been witnessed in the on going NRM party elections for positions. It is absurd to see people exchange bitter words to the extent of involving fire arms in mere party. The elective offices are seen as the cheaper way to accumulate wealth as compared to agricultural production or undertaking serious business. This conviction among the public induces corruption. This culture has to be reversed so that politics is seen as a sacrifice for one’s country and not a means to milk the taxpayer for one’s welfare irrespective of his/her qualifications which would call for rendering one’s energies elsewhere.
“Together for Uganda – with Courage and Humanity,” will be the title of the Government of National Unity and Reconciliation.
1. Economy & Finance: Stimulating the economy and putting it on a genuine path of real growth by involving all able bodied in productive work. Reforms in taxation to be priority number one to provide for competitive production for the local, regional and International markets. The Re-Birth of the Marshall Investment will be implemented to promote economic growth and eventually induce sustainable development for all the people of Uganda.
2. Labour Market: The fight against unemployment is top on the proposed Government agenda. This is to be with-in the arm pit of the “Virtual Clearing House” arrangement. Savings to be emphasized by all above 18 years.
3. Retirement: The proposed Government to ensure that pension funds in the hands of Government are not abused by anybody in Government and that those qualifying to get benefits find it easy to. Good returns to the savings to be advocated for.
4. Youth: It is not news that the youth are in the dark about their future more so as regards gainful employment. The proposed Government to take up many in the “Virtual Clearing House,” arrangement given the specific needed skills to get it off ground, while many more will benefit from the “Re-Birth of the Marshall Plan,” which will be the engine to stimulate economic growth with eventual results as creation of more effective demand for goods and services as well as employment. The youth to have employable skills enhanced through gaining vocational skills.
5. Foreign Policy: Peaceful solution to conflicts will be promoted. No violation of agreements with the International community for which Uganda is party. “Open Gate Policy” to cooperation with players in International capital who are found genuine. “Good relations with the entire world shall be the basis of any Foreign policy.” Our advocacy for democracy, the rule of law and human rights is to be part of our foreign policy.
6. Federalism: Time to implement the federal arrangement, an important project to see regions share in power and retain an agreed percentage of the revenue generated within the region as well as getting equalization grants.
7. Education & Research: The proposed government considers education and promotion of rights as key subjects for the further development of the economy and country. The country to be at the fore front of scientific and technological progress and information and communication technology to be implemented as well as Functional Literacy for All as within the umbrella of Education For All. Incorporation of vocational education from primary school level to higher levels
8. Cultural leaders: Their roles featuring on cultural promotion to be emphasizes and funded. Their role as co – players in mobilization of the people for development to be encouraged.
9. Health: Free health service provision for all the people of Uganda from Government health facilities. No need to pay fees at these health facilities; though cost sharing for complex cases on a case by case basis. No need for carers in Government facilities.
10. Respect for Religions: In the Spirit of National Unity and Reconciliation, a debate will be opened to see the possibility of working half day from Friday so that the Moslem Community are given chance to worship without interference and also make it possible for people involved in community arrangements to get time off to deal with family obligations as well as other functions and rest up to Sunday.
11. Community as basis for Development: People to be employed within their communities. Employment to be in fields of Agriculture on Community Opened Gardens on land which belongs to the region or to private individual to be used under agreement with Government on user terms. The community infrastructures (schools, hospitals, housing and care for the elderly) to be worked on through community effort but with pay to the players. This to be under the “Virtual Clearing House” arrangement.
12. Gender with emphasis on women rights: The rights of women are to receive further boost stating with 1/3 of cabinet posts, then key Ministries where injustice mainly features, and fight all possible injustices that impact on women negatively.
13. Family: There is the challenge to have smaller manageable family size, implement free Family Planning Services to the needy. Ensure that all women have an income. Discourage teens becoming early mothers.
The innovation to be code named: The Re – birth of the Marshall Plan
What was the Marshall Plan?
President Truman, speech to Congress (12th March, 1947)
The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want. They spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. They reach their full potential when the hope of a people for a better life has died. We must keep that hope alive. If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world - and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation. At the present moment in world history nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is often not a free one. One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression. The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio, fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedom. I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.
The Marshall Plan (officially the European Recovery Program, ERP) was the primary program, 1947–51, of the United States for rebuilding and creating a stronger economic foundation for the countries of Europe . The initiative was named for Secretary of State George Marshall and was largely the creation of State Department officials, especially William L. Clayton and George F. Kennan. George Marshall spoke of the administration's desire to help the European recovery in his address at Harvard University in June 1947. The reconstruction plan, developed at a meeting of the participating European states, was established on June 5, 1947. It offered the same aid to the USSR and its allies, but they did not accept it. The plan was in operation for four years beginning in April 1948. During that period some US $13 billion in economic and technical assistance were given to help the recovery of the European countries that had joined in the Organization for European Economic Co-operation. This $13 billion was in the context of a U.S. GDP of $258 billion in 1948, and was on top of $12 billion in American aid to Europe between the end of the war and the start of the Plan.
We should be ready for a similar challenge in Ugandagiven the misery of our people.
In all we do we shall need the spirit of being Good Samaritans
Sermon: How to serve people on behalf of God? Luke 10:30-35
Some one once said, “Christians are like fertilizer. Pile them up in one place long enough and they’ll begin to stink. But spread them out and they’ll do some good.” 1. In today’s sermon I am going to talk about doing good to others. The Bible calls this ministry. 2. Most people think ministry means to serve God. This is not wrong but not 100% correct either. In ministry we help people on behalf of God. 3. Today’s message comes from the story of the Good Samaritan which I believe all of you are familiar with – when reading this story you might feel guilty remembering that you passed by some one in need at one time or another. 4. You will ask me what am I supposed to do? The scope of this message is to answer that question.
C. Treating others the way I like to be treated, (Luke 10:33-35)
I. This is the attitude that the Good Samaritan exhibited. II. God has called every Christian to have this attitude. III. Serving and following Christ go hand in hand. Illustration: Christians like to be visited by the Senior Pastor or the church staff in times of need. It’s not wrong. But many excuses are given when they are asked to visit a fellow believer in need. If you want to serve people on behalf of God treat them the way you like to be treated.
2. Now cultivate the attitude of the good Samaritan. How?
A. Start seeing the needs of people around you?
I. We meet needy people every day, (Not only the physically needed. What about those with emotional hurts). II. Your eyes is the birth place of kindness. III. You can’t care until you are aware.
B. What keeps us from seeing the needs of people?
I. Busyness II. Ignorance
C. How to see their needs?
I. Slow down and look around you. II. Stop to talk to some one. III. Give them your undivided attention.
3. Sympathize with people’s pain (be compassionate)
A. Just seeing the need is not enough
Illustration: Most people who see the helpless simply blames the government or church for not doing anything. I. To sympathize means to feel how others feel. (When the Samaritan saw the wounded man, he had pity on him. – Luke 10:33) II. Romans 12:5 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15, NET)
B. How to sympathize with others?
I. To do so one must give up his prejudices and stop making assumptions about others. II. The Jews and Samaritans hated each other so much, people were surprised when Jesus made a Samaritan the hero of the story. III. Learn to see the people around you as Jesus sees them. God cares for everyone. If you want to serve people you must care for those who God cares for. IV. Learn to Listen: Sometimes the greatest way to serve some one is just listening, (Galatians 6:2). There’s a story behind every need.
C. Learn from your struggles
I. God allows certain struggles in your life so that you can learn to sympathize with and serve the needy and hurting people around you. II. “Who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NET)
4. Seize the opportunity and meet the need – How?
A. Take action
I. Don’t wait. II. Don’t delay. III. Don’t procrastinate. Do what you can at that moment, (Proverbs 3:27-28)
B. Get down to the victim’s level
I. The Samaritan stooped down and got on the man’s level. II. The Samaritan didn’t act superior.
C. Be willing to take the risk
I. In order to seize the moment, you must be willing to take a risk. II. The Samaritan took a risk: What if the robbers were still in the area? III. We don’t like to get involved with other’s pain and brokenness because it reminds us of our own.
5. Be willing to sacrifice yourself
A. Serving is costly
I. It costs you money. II. It costs you time. III. It costs you energy
B. You might not gain anything in return
I. The Samaritan took the injured man to a motel. II. He likely had to travel a great distance. III. He nursed the victim throughout the night and then paid the bill at personal expense. What did he gain? Nothing. III. Galatians 6:10 says, “So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith. (Galatians 6:10, NET)
6. Wrapping it up
A. If you want to fulfill God’s calling to serve others:
I. First Grow an attitude of love. II. Be compassionate. III. Don’t ignore opportunities to help some one. IV. Be willing to pay the price.
B. Don’t get discouraged when you are not appreciated
I. So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9, NET)
Uganda’s Major Problems
For the people of Uganda , insecurity and armed conflict have been the greatest threats to health and survival, and the greatest obstacles to economic and social development during the past 40 years. Few parts of the country have been completely spared the horrors of war, violence, bloodshed and plunder. The country’s history since Independence abounds with episodes of Government sponsored violence against its own citizens of armed opposition to Government - sponsored violence against its own citizens, of armed opposition to Government forces, and of violence carried out by rebel movements against citizens.
Situated at the heart of the politically and ethically volatile Great Lakes region, Uganda has also bee drawn into regional disputes leading to armed conflict.
Cases on Point
“The Danish Government on 5th May 2000 asked Uganda to pull out of the Democratic Republic of Congo and use the money it is spending on the war there for economic development. The negative consequences for the economy of this presence of Uganda in the DRC and the delegation said Denmark would give UgandaUS$54m for the year.”
“The United Nations Observer Mission in Congo (MONUC) issued a statement condemning Uganda for the May 5 fight in Kisangani , (DRC). The members of the mission unanimously deplored the military action inKisangani unreservedly, the statement read.”
“The United States 5th May issued a vigorous condemnation of attacks by Ugandan troops in the DRC and warned that they could affect relations between Washington and Kampala . “The United States strongly condemns attacks by Ugandan forces against Rwandaarmy troops in Kisangani , DRC,” State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said. “They are a violation of DRC sovereignty and a clear violation of the Lusaka Peace agreement,” he said. “These types of attacks erode the confidence of the people of central Africaand of the International Community, which has been asked to support the implementation of the Lusaka Agreement,” Boucher said. “We note that these actions could have a significant impact on US – Ugandan bilateral relations,” he said.
“The European Union might consider imposing sanctions on countries involved in the DRC, the EU Special Representative to the great Lakes region, Ambassador Aldo Ajelo said. Speaking to journalists at the French Embassy in Kampala November 8, Ajello said the EU was disappointed over the growing violation of the Lusaka Peace Agreement for the Pacification of DRC. “We have up to now restrained ourselves from posing and setting up restrictions and conditionalities to countries involved; thinking that there will be an African solution, but there is a debate inside the EU considering that option,” he said.
“An estimated 20,000 children were abducted as child soldiers by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) since 1990. The conflict could better be categorized as a “war against children – fought by children. The ‘night commuter’ phenomenon, where literally hundreds of children would trek several kilometers every evening to the relative safety of towns, was unheard of in any other conflict worldwide.” Source: At a Glance …. European Union in Uganda .
The High Human Poverty index in Uganda
The High Human Poverty Index (HPI) in Uganda estimated to be 37.5% in 2001, which reflects a high proportion of the population not expected to survive to the age of 40; a high proportion of the population without access to both safe water (43.0%) and health facilities (51%) and a high proportion of malnourished children (22.8%).
It is true that about 89% of Uganda ’s population live in rural areas and depend for their livelihood on subsistence agriculture. Statistics indicate that most rural populations are agricultural workers (81.5%). The main source of household livelihood in rural areas is subsistence farming on which about 80% of the rural population depends, and only 1.38% of the rural households derive their livelihood from commercial farming.
Because most rural households depend on agriculture for their livelihood, their low income levels is the basic reason for the high Human Poverty Index.
In terms of the Human Development Index, Ugandadeclined from the 144th position in 2005 to 145th in 2006.
Getting Maximum Benefits from Donor Funds
On average, donor commitment to Uganda during the period 2000/01 – 2006/07 was US$915 m per year. In 2003/04 total donor commitments were US$583.5 m; this increased and more than doubled in 2004/05 to US$1269.8 m before decreasing to US$509.8 m in 2005/06. The decline was due to aid cut back because of delayed fulfillment of related Good Governance conditionalities.
It is unfortunate to be on record that the country has had aid cut backs as a punitive measure to see the NRM leaders foot Good Governance conditionalities. My pledge is to ensure Good governance the norm.
Donor funding to Uganda from 2000/01 to 2006/07
This assistance is broken down and the total in US dollars given for the period 2000/01 to 2006/07 for each category:
1) Debt Relief – 746,755
2) HIPC Debt Relief – 473,390,000
3) Budget Support – 2,689,512,856
4) Emergency Relief Assistance – 175,346,348
5) Food Aid – 18,287,201
6) Free Standing Technical Cooperation – 332,781,351
7) Investment Project Assistance – 1,677,158,831
8) Investment Related Technical Assistance – 954,183,481
9) Other Project Related Assistance – 145,830,812
It is unfortunate that Uganda receives Food Aid, when it should be having surplus food given its good climate with two rain seasons a year for a bigger part of the country.
Donor Funds per year from 2000/01 to 2006/07
1. 2000/01 – 732,184,984
2. 2001/02 – 908,556,020
3. 2002/03 – 897,897,627
4. 2003/04 – 1,120,770,328
5. 2004/05 – 1,039,502,352
6. 2005/06 – 733,895,972
7. 2006/07 – 1,035,456,322
A comment has been made to the effect that the donor funding NRM Government got since 1986 could have easily made Uganda the Switzerland of Africa,
The 10 biggest source of Funding to Uganda taking totals for the period 2000/01 – 2006/07 are:
1. IDA of World Bank – 29%
2. United Kingdom - 13%
3. European Union - 10%
4. USAID - 8%
5. The African Development Bank - 5%
6. Netherlands - 4%
7. Denmark - 4%
8. Germany - 4%
9. The World Food Programme – 4%
10. All the remaining donors share 15%
Strategy to benefit from more donor support (Big donors to give more money and the small ones to give big money):
1) One may say that it is by grace of God that the donors still give us the lot they do. The indicators on good Governance are self explanatory. In an attempt for the NRM Government to see that it remains in power, it has been guilty of human rights abuses;
2) The level of corruption is simply unacceptable yet Government is using kid gloves to deal with the corrupt, and we are yet to see the big fish touched;
3) The corrupt should refund the stolen funds. We are yet to see this seriously done by Government;
4) There are a number of Committee Reports which are simply gathering dust and Parliament is reluctant to finalize sentence to the culprits;
5) It was unfortunate that the NRM Government changed the Constitution for the benefit of one person; though the country has a terrible record for which the framers of the Constitution fixed two terms and nothing short of that. If we get to Government one of the first businesses to be conducted by Parliament will be to re – instate the wording as it was before being tampered with for the two term limits;
6) The value for money – it disturbs to hear billions of shillings talked about all the time but what is done many times falls short of the funding.
7) Our President has tempted donors to cut aid in that it is not unusual for them to give them a bashing. We believe this is contrary to the diplomacy and respect that should be accorded to donors;
8) The NRM has had a trend of writing and thereafter reading budgets for a formality. At the end of each financial year, may projects are not completed, some not started and unfortunately, year after year, there is no link shown whereby uncompleted business would be continued and completed the following year;
9) There is a culture of budget cuts. It disturbs to see budgets cut to meet what is taken as priorities where military business has been a big sinner. That is why we think that conflict should be sorted peacefully;
Commitment to pay debt
It is good business for a country like Uganda to borrow and expect to pay back. That way, if donors are pleased with the payments and they cancel some of the debt it is fine. As at 31st March, Uganda ’s debt stock stood at US$1.1 bn. It had been US$4.3 bn as at the end of March 2006. The decrease in debt was a result of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) from IMF, World Bank and African Development Bank that cancelled all the eligible debt. IMF cancelled all outstanding debt stock to the Government of Uganda contracted prior to 31st December 2003 while the World Bank and African Development Bank cancelled all debt outstanding as of 31st December 2004.
Loans approved by Parliament in just 2007/07
1) IDA for Millennium Science Initiative Project – US$ 30,962,963
2) ADF Support to Health Sector Strategic Plan II US $29,498,525
3) IDA for E. A Trade & transport Facilitation US$ 26,262,626
4) ADF Road Sector Support Project – US$ 48,657,817
5) IDA Poverty Reduction Support Credit –US$ 126,575,183
6) IDA Power Sector Development Operation – US$ 300,000,000
What has to be noted is that these sums of money are substantial. The question which remains is how well we do the evaluation of what the money has been put on. Do we really get value for money, US$126,575,183 for poverty reduction should really have impact, but what we see on ground is that people are being impoverished on.
Grants received by Government for the years 2003/04 – 2006/7
These are in three categories: Project Support; Budget Support and Emergency Aid. Total figures are:
1. 2003/04 – US$ 804.2m
2. 2004/05 – US$ 789.51
3. 2005/06 – US$ 485.07
4. 2006/07 – US$ 674.30
NUSAF2
The Second Northern Uganda Social action Fund (NUSAF2) is a Government of Uganda Project that is financed by a Specific Investment Loan (SIL) of US$ 100 m from the World Bank (IDA). In addition, the Department for International Development (DIFD) of the United Kingdom is to contribute 24 million pounds in the next five years. NUSAF2 is a multi – sectoral community demand driven Project of the government which is part of Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) implementation.
World Bank Role in Uganda
The World Bank has actively supported Uganda’s economic recovery efforts. By 2000 – 2001, the World Bank portfolio comprised adjustment support totaling about US$790 m since 1987; and 24 projects in agriculture, and the social sectors, with a total commitment of over US$1 bn.
Active Projects by 2000/01
Agriculture & Environment
1) Agriculture Research & Training I: FY (1993 – 2000) – US$25.04m (IDA) – The project supports Government’s strategy for improving productivity and diversification in the agricultural sector through the development and transfer of improved technology. The broad objective of the project was to develop an organizational framework and institutional processes for agricultural research which is sustainable and efficient as well as responsive to the production constraints facing farmers in Uganda.
2) Cotton Sub – sector Development (CSDP): FY (1994 – 2000) – US$ 14.00m (IDA: The project was to support Governments’ strategy to revive the Cotton production and exports through increased competition in Cotton processing and marketing and improved supporting systems.
3) Environment Management Capacity Building: FY (1996 – 2001) – US$ 11.80m (IDA): The project was the first segment of a longer – term program to support NEAP implementation.
4) Institutional capacity Building for capacity for Protected Areas Management and Sustainability Use Project (ICB – PAMSU): FY (1998 – 2002) US$ 12.37 m (IDA) – The project’s main objective was to establish effective institutional capacity within the wild life and tourism sectors for strategic planning, program development and implementation, and to promote long – term sustainability.
5) Lake Victoria Environment Management: FY (1997 – 2002) US$12.10 m (IDA) – The project’s objectives were to maximize the sustainable benefits to riparian communities from using resources within the basin to generate food, employment and income, supply safe water, and sustain a disease free environment, etc.
Infrastructure
6) El Nino Emergency Road Repair: FY (1998) – US$27.60 m (IDA) – The project aimed at: i) Reducing infrastructure – related market and distribution costs countrywide, by reducing road transport costs to their pre – emergency levels; ii) Securing the timely delivery of social services to the affected populations, etc.
7) First Urban: FY (1991 – 2000) US$ 28.70 m (IDA) – The project included improving living conditions and alleviating poverty in Kampala by restoring key infrastructure services and related maintenance activities, etc.
8) Institutional & Engineering Support to the Road Sector: FY (1998 – 2000) US$30.0 m (IDA) – The project’s objectives are to i) Strengthen road sector management capability through spinning off road administration and execution activities under the Ministry of Works, etc.
9) Small Towns Water and Sanitation: FY (1994 – 2001) US$42.30 m (IDA) – The project was to support Government’s economic recovery program by extending the rehabilitation and upgrading of water supply and sanitation services, etc.
10) Transport Rehabilitation: FY (1994 – 2000) US$ 75.00 m (IDA) -Aimed to assist the Government in providing the basic road infrastructure to help the recovery efforts. Etc
Public and Private Sector Management
11) Institutional Capacity Building: FY (1995 – 2000) US$ 36.40 m (IDA) –
12) Private Sector Competitiveness: FY (1996 – 2001) US$ 12.30 m (IDA)
Health Sector:
13) The District Health services and Pilot project: FY (1995 – 2002) US$ 45.0 m (IDA).
14) Sexually Transmitted Infections: FY (1994 – 2000) US$ 50.0 m (IDA).
15) Education Sector Adjustment: FY (1998 – 2000) US$ 80.0 m (IDA.
16) Primary Education and Teacher Development; FY (1993 – 2000) US$ 52.60 m (IDA).
17) Nutritional and early Childhood Development: FY (1998 – 2003) (IDA) – The project was to contribute to poverty alleviation and human capital development objectives by improving development interventions targeted to the most vulnerable segments of the population – namely, young children and mothers. The development objective of the project is to improve the health, nutritional and cognitive status of preschool children in Uganda. The project strategy involved the provision of community - based child development services and enhancement of women’s ability to care for children – by providing them with knowledge on proper child caring practices and by increasing their income – earning opportunities. At the end of the 5 year implementation period, the project evaluation would be made. NB of all the IDA loans, this one has many questions.
18) Agricultural Research and Training Project - Phase Ii US$ 26.0 m (IDA) Mostly for Agricultural Research.
19) Financial Markets Assistance Project: US$ 13 m (IDA)
20) Nakivubo Channel Rehabilitation Project: US$ 32 m (IDA) – When you see how some parts of Kampala are inconvenienced by the floods you wonder whether this money would not have done a far better job!
World Bank funded projects closed during 1999
21) Agricultural Extension: FY 1993 – US$ 15.79 m
22) Enterprise Development ; FY (1992 – 1999) US$ 41.85 m (IDA)
23) Structural adjustment III: FY (1998 – 1999) US$ 125.0 m (IDA).
24) Third Power: FY (1991 – 1999) – US$ 125 m (IDA).
25) Economic & Financial Management: FY US$ (1993 – 1999) – US$ 29.0 m (IDA).
The Listing of these funds serves a dual purpose in that it gives Ugandans the picture into how hopeless our economy is; with all this money yet we claim to be generating good money locally, where does this money really go? It is also important to know that this money has to be paid back. Fortunately, when World Bank realized how impoverished Ugandans are though a lot of money had been poured into the economy, they made a decision for which we should be most grateful on forgiving us the loans.
At the 1995 World summit for Social development – The Copenhagen Declaration noted that globalization creates new opportunities for sustained economic growth and development of the World economy, particularly in developing countries. Yet the International Community has become painfully aware since the summit that the globalization of capital and information has not always resulted in the globalization of better living standards.
It is also clear that even well intentioned social policies and programmes too often do not reach the poor people, under certain circumstances even undermine their well being.
MAJOR HUMAN RIGHTS THAT ARE TO BE PROMOTED AS IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO ENHANCE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE
1) Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are gifted with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
2) Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
3) Article 23:
i. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
ii. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
iii. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable payment ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
iv. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
4) Article 25:
i. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
ii. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
5) Article 26:
i. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
ii. Education shall be directed to full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United nations for the maintenance of peace.
HOW WILL I MANAGE GOVERNMENT BUSINESS?
1) Encourage Communication from the people directly to an email contact set for the purpose: More often than not, the Presidency keeps the one in chair out of touch wit the people. My approach will be different if I get the opportunity to get to the high office in the land. 1st of all, shortly after getting to office, we shall ensure that at least each village has a caf̩. Good enough, many place in Uganda currently has some caf̩ where people go and do their communications. There will be an email contact through which people may directly reach me. This I hope will be facilitated by some personal assistant such that as news is read, I should have 2 Р3 hours a day devoted to this cause. When an issue is put to my attention which issues will not include employment, contracts name it, I will be able through a Personal Assistant to see that a relevant reply is given and or the matter is referred to the attention of some office which should be able to give timely feedback regarding action taken. As for jobs and tenders, the people should be able to use the right channels. My business if elected to the powerful office is to put right what has been messed up and some people see it as the norm. This method will equally apply to some Government meetings where it would require movement of people to discuss.
2) Shall use tele – conferencing facility: I shall endeavour to see that key Government offices can manage to hold tele – conference, where it should be possible to discuss issues without having to assemble in some room.
3) The use of the Digital camera facility or Video recordings: Use digital camera and or recordings of what is going on at various sites where Government has interest.
4) There will be promoted use of the Global Learning Centre: A lot of time and resources are wasted when people have to move either upcountry to meet while they would get somewhere if the used Video Conferencing. The use and utilization of this facility is to be boosted and other centres will be opened up countrywide to reduce on people having to travel for meetings and relevant discussions.
5) Having the Auditor General to perform the Audit before funds are spent: Uganda has lost enough funds due to the current procedure where the Auditor general and say Inspector of Government come in after funds have been spent. Whether it means increasing capacity in form of manpower, the Government I have in picture will endeavour that the Auditor general’s office okays all those expenditures which are not routine. It disturbs for example to find Councilors being able to award themselves funds as they may wish. This has to come to an end. The New Vision October 10 2005 reported that: “District Tender Boards are most corrupt in Local Government. This was according to a report: “The impact of political corruption on resource allocation and service delivery.” Briefly, the report says that the procurement process and award of tenders is the most abused and used channel for political corruption.” Sincerely, I cannot allow this to continue. Their transactions ought to be okayed by the Auditor General’s Office before undertaken. “The Economic Policy and Research Centre on November 4, 2003 showed that the private tender system in six districts studied : Mbale, Kamuli, Mubende, Masaka, Ntungamo, and Arua had very serious defects, and amounted to a little more than a transfer of money from ordinary often very poor tax payers to the pockets of richer tax collection agents and their associates. Given that gross profit margins to tenderers vary from between 100% to almost 1000% in these districts, and hence it tantamounts to a gigantic rip off, said Professor Frank Ellis, Senior Consultant on the EPRC study team. It disturbs to see this type of developments going on yet the districts cry of not having enough revenue and instead want to look to new sources of revenue hence living the local population without any disposable income worth talking about which throws them into more poverty all the time. According to the findings of the 2002 Uganda Participatory Poverty Action Plan (UPPAP), “As local governments continue to search for new ways to generate higher incomes, they burden residents with ever increasing numbers and types of levies, licences, fees and taxes, to the point that multiple local levels licencing and taxation, and its maladministration, is now among the leading causes of poverty in Uganda. According to EPRC, “this practice sours relations between local governments and their citizens and discourages initiative and enterprise.”
6) Use of requests for periodical feedbacks regarding projects and programmes: It will be a practice to call for feedback periodically from the concerned Government officers regarding progress of projects/programmes and the monitoring as well as evaluation reports a must.
7) Daily trial balances for Government Business: By the end of business on each day, every officer handling Government cash will be required to have that cash verified and there should be no retiring to leave unfinished business. This is how back logs start and differences in books and these reports must be available for verification at end of each business day.
8) Government office to give overview of day’s business: It should be possible to get a summary report from each government office of what took place in the day. This will call for the drive for computerization of all Government offices and connection to the Internet.
9) Feed back on Implementation of the gender policy: I will seek to be updated on the implementation of the Gender Policy in all Government departments. We are aware of the long standing imbalances in our society which have to be addressed. All officers in charge of staff must be in the know regarding the policy and shall be required to see it bear fruit. Relevant Organs to which Uganda is party in respect of gender equality are: The east African Community (EAC) Treaty (2000), The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Gender Policy (MAY 2002), The Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa (July 2003), the Inter Government Authority on development (IGAD), Gender Policy and Strategy (July 2004), The New Partnerships for African Development (NEPAD) through its programmes which are exposed to enhancing women’s human rights through the application of Social Development Indicators and The AU Heads of State Solemn Declaration on gender Equality (July 2004).
At the global level, instruments include: The Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) and its Optional Protocol (adopted in October 1999) entered into force December 2000), the Beijing Declaration and Plan for Action (1995), The Commonwealth Plan of Action on gender development; Advancing the Commonwealth Plan of Action on gender and Development into the New Millennium (2005 – 2010), The International Conference on Population and development (1994), The United Nations Declaration on Violence against Women (DEVAW, 1993), The Millennium Declaration (2000), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1990).
10) Non interference into the work of the judiciary: if Ugandans entrust me into the highest office in the land, I will not get myself involved with the work of the judiciary, be it who in Government, as long as he/she is caught on the wrong side of the law, he will have to face the dire consequences without fear or favour. And in case one has a case to answer, he may have to leave office until it is settled. There should be no immunity whatsoever, as this is how corruption and other malpractices are given room in Government.
11) Regarding People sentenced to death: Though the death sentence remains on Uganda’s legal books, since I cannot create a person, I don’t think and I will never exercise that authority to execute a person. Instead, those sentenced to death may have to serve a life sentence until some other authority decides otherwise but not me. It is also true that we have people here who can give false testimony to incriminate others. There is a man in the west who was sentenced to death for murdering his son. The son afterwards ‘resurrected,’ assuming someone has executed him?
12) Business of State House with Investors: I have seen the President so much involved in directly attracting Investors into the country and finishing deals in their favour. I don’t want to be involved. What I would love to be involved with is the creation of a conducive climate for locals to do business and foreigners to find it attractive and safe to put their money in Uganda. There are credible levels we should emulate. Uganda is supposed to be lead by people inspired by God who should lead His lambs on His behalf and not to betaken up and compromised by such deals for when the deal goes bad it back fires to whoever was involved. I want to be above such.
13) Favouring school-mates: I am fortunate that in much I have been doing over the last 4 or so years, I have known my school and done work as a thank you for the education background, but fortunately, I am not in bondage to promote St. Mary’s College Kisubi in Government if I get opportunity to the highest office in the land. I believe already a number of SMACK OBs are well positioned and others can toil for themselves, but nothing like a SMACK empire to be created by me.
14) Relatives: Yes, I have very many relatives who are not well to do. However, it will not be my method to use the office to see them into positions. This is the part of corruption we are fighting. Given opportunity and I have some money to open undertakings, I will definitely involve them that way. I wish not to soil my name. I love to make a contribution for 5 years not more and go if the good Lord grants the gift of life.
15) The requirement for each and everybody 18 years and above to have a source of income and an account of some sort with some savings: Poverty shall remain the norm if we don’t come up with strategies in form of a big push to do away with it. You find a woman by her poor rented room with a child and she is there waiting for what the husband brings back. A man who earns shs 2,000 a day gives a command to the woman not to work! This status quo is simply unacceptable; this poverty is leading to a lot of domestic problems. Women cannot get 100% of their needs from men, so they have to work. If I am elected by the people of Uganda, I will push for the “Virtual Clearing House, get it capitalized, and it will not be anybody’s business f one decides not to work for pay and he/sleeps hungry, though we may not give it chance anyway. The statistics below show the picture:
i. An analysis of the 31% Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS 2006) of the population currently living below poverty line indicates that poverty impacts differently on different groups. The Social Development Sector Strategic Investment Plan (SDIP) indicates that women (33%) tend to be poorer than men (30%). This is more severe for widows (34%) including people living in households which are headed by widows. Further, there are an estimated 1.8 m orphans (13% of Ugandan children), Population and Housing Census, (2002). The Social Development Sector Strategic Investment Plan (SDIP) indicates that 41% of boy – orphans and 36% of girl orphans fall below the poverty line.
ii. The Participatory Poverty Assessment (2002) reveals that women’s inadequate control over livelihood assets such as land, labour, skills and information, networks, technology, and financial capital remains one of the root causes of poverty. For instance, although 83% of women are engaged in agricultural production, only 25.5% control the land they cultivate (UDHS), 2000/01). This scenario creates enormous challenges for the women as they are increasingly taking on the burden of family provisioning, thus seriously undermining the sustainability of the household livelihoods. Therefore, gender inequality is key area that has to be tackled through systematic removal of the constraints to women and men’s livelihoods.
iii. A gender analysis of Uganda national Household Survey (UNHS) 1992 -2003) data indicates that around 20% of Ugandan households are chronically poor and more than 10% of the poorest households moved into poverty between (1992 – 1999). The analysis further shows that with regard to income poverty, higher proportions of women headed households are chronically poor.
iv. Women continue to suffer very high burdens in pursuing their livelihood strategies. The Uganda Strategic Country gender Assessment (World Bank 200%) reveals that women work considerably longer hours than men (between 12 and 18 hours a day, with a mean of 15 hours), compared with an average male working day of 8 to 10 hours. Women bear the brunt of domestic tasks, in addition to agricultural and other productive work. The time and effort required for these tasks, in almost total absence of even rudimentary domestic technology, is staggering. This has a negative effect on food security, household income, children’s schooling, participation in community life, health, and overall productivity.
v. Regarding health rights, high maternal mortality and morbidity rates remain a challenge. Evidence from the Uganda demographic and health Survey (2006) shows that infant mortality is 76 deaths per 1,000 births and under five mortality is 137 per 1,000 births. Similarly, the UDHS 2000/01 puts maternal mortality ratio at 505 per 100,000 live births. The high total fertility rate at 6.9 has a bearing on the rapidly increasing growth rates (3.3%) per annum, which in turn has negative consequences on provision of health services for women and increases the dependence ratio. The high incidence of teenage pregnancies is associated with high risks to health and life of both the mother and child. As a signatory to the International Conference on Child Development (ICDP 1994) Government must be committed to promotion of sexual and reproductive health rights by putting gender relations at the centre of health and population interventions.
16) I am not a tribalist: I am a nationalist; It is true I am a Muganda but to me all Ugandans are equal before God and before the Constitution of Uganda. Much as I like to see a Muganda happy, the same way I like any other body to enjoy his life in Uganda. For instance, if the people of Uganda vote for me, I will ensure that all those who have grown up without knowing that bread has to go with butter and jam get to re – discover them. This sincerely cannot be for Baganda alone. It pains me to see people from all parts of Uganda come to Buganda to get jobs. Now with the Re – Birth of the Marshall plan there will be no reason why one has to migrate from his/her mother home because all the resources should be available country wide.
17) The culture of begging from politicians must stop: This business of seeing politicians as providers while every body is expected to earn a decent living is partly responsible for our problems. Because people are made to believe that income is for a privileged few, they end up worshipping them, hence we remain with a fleet of politicians who are just exploiting the people with no positive contribution worth mentioning. The culture of begging politicians should be criminal. Everybody will be provided with an environment to make a fairly decent living so that we see off those politicians who deceive our people with hand-outs and turn around to exploit them hence failing to provide for a meaningful welfare for them and the vicious circle of poverty continues.
18) Have monitors in place: Much of the money which would benefit the people of Uganda has been eaten by a few in positions where they access this money. This one is to become history. As the NRM Government has Presidential advisors, this time we are to have monitors. Whatever is going on and has had money spent on it must be monitored and no excuse to be given for its having gone wrong. No spending funds out of the ordinary without the authority of the Auditor General and specifications in the contract have to be met and enforced. No backlog is to be accommodated. Where ever there is need for more staff, that staff shall be provided. With technology in place, no lousy excuses to be accepted that information was stolen because they broke into an office. All Government documents MUST have a back up.
19) The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to be given capacity to check dumping into the country: It is very disappointing to buy a shoe and it cannot last even a month yet when it is new. UNBS to be given capacity to ensure that dumping is not entertained. There is need to look into having price tags for goods on sale. It is very normal for traders to cheat people because they don’t fix price tags. I recall when someone got shs 20,000 from me for a charger which goes for shs 5,000!
20) Rewarding Reporters: Many times people sit on crucial information which information if given would be so crucial in saving the country loss of money. Whoever makes such a report to government and it is proved right will enjoy a certain percentage to be determined by the right authorities and in case it is not money or quantifiable in money terms, still to be rewarded in money terms as shall be determined by the right organ in place.
21) Look into compensation of properties lost under various circumstances: There are developments that have induced our people into poverty say when markets have burnt and traders have been left in vacuum. There are incidences where various compensations should have been enjoyed after death of loved ones, etc. Some organ to be put in place to review such cases, may be could be done by the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
22) Revival of Jinja Industries: The poverty in Jinja to be addressed by seeing to measures to revive the industries in Jinja and see to many more come up. It is a sad development the story of Busoga.
23) Review the work of the Privatisation Unit (Public Enterprise Reform and Divestiture (PERD): In 1992, just before the advent of reform in earnest, the parastatal sector was standing at over 140 enterprises covering a diverse range of activities from trade and commerce, agro-production and processing, manufacturing, insurance and utility services. Over 85% were commercial in nature and according to reports these were already facing competition from the private sector. The enterprises were operating at well below 30% capacity utilization and contributed only 5% to GDP. In addition, out of national debt stock of US$ 3.5 bn, 28% (US$ 986 m) was generated by the private enterprises – worse still these debts were guaranteed by Government. The public enterprises were therefore inefficient and unable to generate enough resources to finance their operations and save for re-investment.
24) People who take up contracts and they don’t remit money: It is unfortunate that some people get contracts, continue to get money from say parks and because they think they have cover, continue to collect the revenue for own consumption. This simply cannot be left. This is the reason why we keep a begging economy.
THE INNOVATIONS I AM FRONTING FOR THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT OF UGANDA
1) A VIRTUAL CLEARING HOUSE
2) EMPLOYMENT OF ALL PEOPLE OF UGANDA (SKILLED & UNSKILLED)
3) FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR ALL
4) QUALITATIVE ; PRACTICAL EDUCATION FOR ALL
5) UNIFORM FEDERAL GOVERNANCE IN UGANDA
6) ENSURING A LIVING WAGE
7) ENSURING A BALANCED DIET FOR ALL
8) CONTROL OF BIRTH THROUGH EDUCATION & FAMILY PLANNING
9) PUTTING IN PLACE MEASURES TO MINIMISE CORRUPTION
10)BOOSTING AGRO – PROCESSING INDUSTRIALISATION
11)BOOSTING OUR EXPORT BASE
12)FIGHTING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
13)ENSURING REGIONAL POLES OF GROWTH
14)IMPLEMENTING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS
15)CATERING FOR THE ELDERLY
16)IMPLEMENTING A STUDENT LOAN SCHEME FOR HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING
17)SCRAPPING GOVERNMENT SPONSORSHIP
18)PROMOTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN ALL AREAS POSSIBLE.
19)ENSURING LITERACY FOR ALL AND TEACHING OF RIGHTS
20)ENSURING THAT GOVERNMENT OBSERVES HUMAN RIGHTS
21)THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE PREVAILS.
22)PROMOTION OF A SAVING AND INVESTMENT CULTURE
23)REDUCTION OF VAT RATE AND TAXATION RATES WHICH ARE ON THE HIGH HENCE MAKE BUSINESS UNCOMPETITIVE INTERNATIONALLY; FOR EXAMPLE ON FUEL
24)ABOLISHING TAXATION ON GOVERNMENT
NB It is important to note that the 24 listed are representing major policy areas which will be different from the way the NRM conducts its business. What is not touched here has intentionally been left out and may be streamlining may be required but not a major policy objective as many of the listed portray. These (24) are what bring out the distinctiveness between the two that is the NRM and the proposed Government set up. For instance, it is wrong to discuss matters of the East African Community here apart from ensuring that agreements are implemented to ensure its sustained existence for the benefit of all the peoples of the member countries. It is also true that the outlined are the areas I would have to try hard to see that Parliament when it is the relevant organ to handle does in conformity with my conviction for the welfare of the people of Uganda, more so the poor who more often are impoverished the more due to policy in place over which they remain enslaved and victims.
The Chief Executive Vs the PRO
CE: How come we have no contribution in this issue?
PRO: Sir, You know, the company policy is that we must have a look at the previous issue before we make a contribution.
CE: Scrap that right away. We have missed a chance of being party to an educative Magazine to which we would have contributed. We should be able to gauge the type of Magazine when the Editor gives us a hint.
The Logic of the above:
Someone will say: “So and so, why give him a vote? I have not seen him deliver, what is his background, and so on and so forth. The gist of the matter is; how do we move forward? What I have outlined is fundamentally what I will endeavour to convince other players in Government to ensure implemented, and I want to assure the people of Uganda that I have the will; and all a long I have had that heart which feels for the deprived, the injustices in our country. The Baganda have a saying which when interpreted to English means that: You may think you despise some one because he is not big. Here it is not body size that matters, not wealth, but Ideas and such ideas which are not a gamble, but those that will definitely work. I would love to work under the Agenda to see Uganda a better country for all of us with the cooperation and support of the established political party leaders and their members. I believe I have the key to unite Ugandans at this crucial stage in our history, and thereafter, I should leave the stage but having set the ground for that Democracy which many leaders don’t want to give chance. So please, let us unit for a way forward as one person under a Government of National Unity and when we have sustained that, it should be easy for each of us to go to his party which he so cherishes.
The NRM has been given its chance: What is the evaluation like?
The NRM waged a 5 year Bush War because The Late Paulo Muwanga helped Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) to ‘win’ the 1980 General Elections. In power, NRM leaders promised Ugandans a fundamental change. The question is: “Today, when the Uganda Opposition openly declares that elections conducted by the NRM Government have a lot of rigging, is there justification for the 5 year bush way and the suffering later on deaths endured? NRM Leadership has to know: “The probability of a theory or practice in Science can be demonstrated by performing an objective experiment. Findings can be compared after a series of observations and errors are evaluated. The opposite however is true for the politician – history gives him only a single chance. The failure of a social experiment usually is not only a personal catastrophe for the individual politician, but of the basic concept he was fighting for as well.”
Developing a Culture of Peaceful Settlement of Conflict
In Uganda , we MUST endorse a culture of peaceful resolution of Conflict. One reason why poverty is so much, so many unemployed youth, and low production capacity, wrong policy a part; the NRM over its tenure of office has been involved in the use of war to solve conflicts; and this is regrettable. It was hard to believe that not long ago when Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) were in Congo pursuing Kony, Ug. Shs 400m or so (if my memory is good) was being use daily, and they were there for a month or so. In such circumstances a country cannot escape being poor. Adam Smith says in The wealth of Nations: “Among the civilized nations of modern Europe … not more than one – hundredth part of the inhabitants of any country can be employed as soldiers, without ruin to the country that pays the expense of their service.” The basic truth is that war is a parasitical part of the economy, particularly when it becomes professionalized. Professional armies cannot feed or clothe themselves or even provide themselves with weapons. This has to be done by the civilian population.
People will always tell you, “You are not a military personnel, how can you rule Uganda ?
First of all, let me be clear once again, I am advocating for a Government of National Unity and Reconciliation which Uganda needs most as of now. In this arrangement, all parties will play roles to ensure that we move forward democratically, and there will be no winner takes it all given that I am an Independent candidate. We seriously cannot live in perpetual fear endlessly; we must boldly come out and say, this is what we want. Yet even those who imagine that they have a right to keep Ugandans in slavery will one of these days turn to God and do justice. “Peace is the greatest good that people can wish for in life.” When the great humanist Cervantes wrote this, he was stating the principle position of pacifism, where attainment of peace is regarded as the highest possible value to which all other aspirations should be subordinated. Yet history is full of examples where peace has been consciously sacrificed for attaining other goals, for preserving faith and principles, and for materialism and ideology. It can be remembered by those of us who were around in 1983: “On December 3, 1983, Ugandans woke up to the shocking news on Radio Uganda that the country’s powerful and feared Army Chief of Staff, Major General David Oyite Ojok had died. It was the closest to Ugandans experiencing the death of a sitting President.” Yes, you may think that you are at liberty to take away people’s rights and deny them their wishes by using fear, but, at times God can decide otherwise for you. We need just to get that maturity and we shall have Uganda as a country where we shall all peacefully co – exist.
Kituuka’s Stakes in the Struggle for the High Office
When you see a trailer on the road, you may imagine that the driver must be very energetic to manage to drive the huge thing on the road. But, the truth is that the designers of the vehicle made it such that, it is normal driving, without the need to use that much energy. In my case, I see the role a head as normal because I have the conviction, and basic ability to do the job given the cooperation and advice as expected. What I can say, is that given audience by the people of Uganda when properly facilitated which is my biggest constraint, I can easily prove a David against the Goliath (a combination of forces that may be opposed to my stand and standing.
The Strategy of a Government of National Unity and Reconciliation
Many may wish to know my exact strategy when I talk about a Government of National Unity and Reconciliation. Apart from the removal of Presidential term limits, our Constitution has a lot in common with the one of the Americans. In my case therefore, to have the objective met, my run mate - the Vice President would be Ambassador Olara Otunu. The Position of Prime Minister was initially not in the Constitution and I am not aware that it is there legally. It tends to weaken the Vice President.
Why the Ambassador?
1) He did not soil his hands in the till for the 24 – 25 years NRM has been in power;
2) He is an Internationally respected diplomat who can help the country a lot in efforts to see to recovery; which efforts require a lot of good will and funding from potential donors;
3) He will stand to see the Northern Uganda recovery and reconstruction efforts real to benefit the victims of the wars there;
4) He stands for the good in the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) whose policies many Ugandans still wish for ( the cooperatives thrived, social infrastructure to mention a few);
5) He is a man who is in for reconciliation.
Ministerial Positions:
1. Ministry of Defense to Major Mugisha Muntu
2. Ministry of Internal Affairs to Dr. Kizza Besigye;
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Hon.Mau;
4. Ministry of Finance to Dr. Abed Bwaniika;
5. Ministry of Public Service to Hon. Bidandi Ssali;
6. Ministry of Land - Hon. Kyanjo
7. Minitry of Water ^ Environment – Hon. Mabiike
8. Ministry of Agriculture- The Conservative Party
I wish to have 1/3 of the cabinet positions to the women. Of these we would have 4 Full Ministers in Ministries which need to see gender balance real and the women rights observed. These are:
1) Health
2) Education
3) Gender, Labour & Social Development – Hon. Betty Nambooze
4) Local Government – Hon. Betty Kamya
A lot of constitutional amendments need to be made in the 5 years and one man who may do the work well is Hon. Erias Lukwago.
The Religious factor is featuring prominently in our politics today. The six major religions including the Traditionals; to nominate one representative to take up a cabinet position. Given the number of Baganda already featuring, may be a Muganda may not be nominated among the 6.
It is true, being a Government of National Unity; the Movement would also be represented on the cabinet.
I however sear that I have not discussed this strategy with anybody mentioned. It my opinion of the way forward given where we are now with the opposition badly divided and chances of getting the Government out of power almost not there.
I swear that if the Opposition parties agree at this critical time to front me as a sole Presidential candidate, this will be a win situation for all in official opposition. The 5 years would then be used to amend the bad laws; reorganize the parties and have them strengthened in a free and fair atmosphere so that come 2016, all factors remaining constant; they will be better prepared for the challenges.
Meanwhile, party leaders and their members’ representatives agree to my proposal, and then what would remain for them is to further mobilize support so that it finally becomes a walk over. Their positions are a sure deal in cabinet is success is realized.
As for the Hon. MPs mentioned who are not party Presidents, it will be optional for them either to compete for Members ship in Parliament or not for also their positions are as indicated above.
WHEN SHALL I LAUNCH MY CANDIDACY?
I am offering my ideas to the people of Uganda as an Independent candidate who has a wish to work with all the elected people’s representative who believe that we need a common destiny for Uganda which is peace and prosperity as well as unity in diversity. We should out grow that fear that once such a Government is out of power, then for us as a group or tribe we shall be in danger. This peaceful co - existence and brotherhood is what I am advocating for and would wish to nurture given opportunity. I can therefore only launch my candidacy if I get the endorsement by a group of Ugandans who should be willing to help with financial resources to see to implementation hence the launch.
The strategies that will help my campaign given support are reflected in my proposals that aim at delivering to the people of Uganda given opportunity as is in a satisfactory customer service. These among others are:
1) Knowing that it costs six times more to attract a new customer than it does to keep an old one;
2) A typical dissatisfied customer will tell between 8 – 10 people about his/her problem;
3) Seven out of ten customers will do business with you again …. If you resolve the complaint in their favour;
4) If you resolve the complaint on spot, 95% will do business with you again;
5) Of the customers who quit, 68% do so because of an attitude of indifference by the company or a specific individual;
6) As far as I am concerned, the voters of Uganda and those who reside in Uganda are my customers; they are the boss, I promise quality work, and value for their votes – just trust me and we get moving; Victory is our goal come the 2011 General Elections.
7) I promise to religiously solve the ills of the peoples of Uganda , and Ugandans getting to know about it (publicity of my plans/intentions for their well being, should equal to success come the 2011 General elections. For I have all along been an active advocate of the welfare of Ugandans, my works/writings are testimony to the effect, no bribe can get me off the belief and conviction that good living conditions can be enjoyed by all of us if only our leaders can have that vision for the country. And, trust me; I have it as reflected in my plegdes below. I look forward to success.
ERABORATING ON THE INNOVATIONS I AM FRONTING FOR THE POSITION OF PRESIDENTOF UGANDA
1. A VIRTUAL CLEARING HOUSE
I. There are many Ugandans who live in social exclusion. They have little or no access to social and economic protection and basic social services. Herein lies the problem: with limited access to secure income, basic education, health care, clean water and food security, they are caught in a continuing cycle of poverty and vulnerability. This leads to their exclusion from the mainstream of both social and economic activity. It is this sad development that is the drive to have the innovation of the Virtual Clearing House.
II. The biggest investment challenge by the Government I have in picture is managing the innovation of a Virtual Clearing House. This will be an arrangement where all people previously unemployed will fit when work is thought for them. The 1st beneficiaries here should be those who hold qualifications in Business Administration and Management; those trained in information technology and those with accounting/auditing /banking and financial management skills. These will form the basic staff in the Virtual Clearing House.
III. This arrangement is to have branches from the village level to the National Clearing House. This arrangement is to be installed with the equivalent of cards where each beneficiary will have information concerning him/her as is with bank ATM cards.
IV. The arrangement is to open up equivalent of Grocery shops in each village where the beneficiaries with the Virtual Clearing House will do most of the shopping for the basics of life.
V. The Virtual Clearing House will operate like credit cards do. Someone will offer a service, for which credit will go to his or her card, and this person will be able to get goods and services basic with the use of this card.
VI. Because Government will be employing people who other wise would not be in employment, special rates will be implemented and upgraded as the economy is boosted by the activities taking place nation wide.
Projected Source of Funding for the Virtual Clearing House:
1) Sale proceeds of the Presidential Jet – at least some shs 65bn can be expected from this source;
2) Sale of Government Securities 9to fund raise from the general public);
3) Seeking Local and International partners in the undertaking:
i. Companies which may extend to us capacity for agro – processing industrialization so that we pay after;
ii. Look for countries which may be ready to donate to us things like drugs and medical equipment;
iii. Get individuals locally in Uganda who have the capacity to extend to us some facilities so that we pay afterwards say after 6 months;
4) Borrow from IDA of the World Bank (though this could take a bit of time to sanction;
5) Seek consent of the members of Uganda Social Security Fund to see whether they can allow the Government to borrow a small percentage of their savings;
6) Appeal to generous Ugandans to donate to the cause;
7) Look at the possibility of selling of some Government Stores to realize some funds;
8) Seek a hand by local commercial banks as well as insurance companies;
9) Negotiate with donors to re 0- schedule some of the loan repayments so that the saving realized is injected into the Virtual Clearing House.
2. EMPLOYMENT OF ALL PEOPLE OF UGANDA (SKILLED & UNSKILLED)
I. All people with qualifications should get employment, while the unskilled should be communally mobilized for gainful communal tasks for which they should get payment. This arrangement is to be organized under the Virtual Clearing House.
II. When this is implemented for instance, it will not be necessary to have a carer for a patient admitted to a government health unit.
III. Those who can train in literacy will be recruited to see that all people who don’t know how to read or right are taught.
IV. Government shall get into understanding with people who have land and are not able as of now to utilize it. This under the community scheme in the Virtual Clearing House arrangement will have members of the community cultivate these areas in line with the guidance of agricultural personnel with a dual objective of increasing agricultural production mostly for processing and eventual export as well as increase food availability to cater for the balanced diet needs of the people.
V. Those with equipment that can be hired including vehicles shall also be employed in the communal scheme under the Virtual Clearing House arrangement so that they provide services as shall be needed; for instance, if members of the community are to construct school blocks under education for all, the locally available vehicles shall be utilized for the services.
3. FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR ALL
I. The Budget Speech for Financial Year 2008/09, under Health, I quote: “The Health system in Uganda has continued to suffer from poor service delivery and inefficiency. The Health Centres continue to have drug stock – outs and attendance by many health workers at their duty stations is irregular. The inefficiency, corruption, poor service delivery and stock –outs in Health Centers must be dealt with decisively.”
II. The Budget Speech read on 12 June 2003, regarding Health: “Mr, Speaker Sir, despite substantial Government investment in the promotion of primary health care, the health outcome indicators of infant and maternal mortality have remained low. Reproductive health remains a key priority for the health sector …” “To further improve health outcomes, I have allocated to primary health care next year by shs 9bn, to shs 105bn.” It remains questionable whether value for money is realized for the amount involved is not small, but service delivery still appalling.
III. Most women in Uganda say that they face serious problems in accessing health care for themselves when they are sick. Overall, 86% of women say they encounter at least one serious problem in gaining access. The most common problems mentioned are getting money for treatment (65%), living too far from a health facility (55%), and obtaining transportation (49%). 17% of women express concern that no female health provider is available, while 8% say they face problems getting permission for treatment.
IV. Almost two – thirds of pregnant women in Uganda(64%) are Anaemic. Anaemia can be an underlying cause of maternal deaths and illness and may contribute to premature births and low birth weight. Among the important measures to reduce Aneamia among women are iron and folic acid supplementation, preventive treatment of Malaria, and use of insecticide - treated mosquito nets during pregnancy.
V. Uganda demographic and health Survey (UDHS)data shows that most Ugandan women are giving birth under unsafe conditions:
a) Only 42% of births in Uganda are assisted by a skilled provider. One possible explanation for this low percentage is that many more births occur at home (58%) than in a health facility (41%);
b) 63% of women in rural areas gave birth at home, compared to only 20% of women in urban areas;
c) 10% of all births were completely unassisted!
d) Women with secondary education or more education are three times more likely to give birth in a health facility than women with no education;
e) Delivery in a health facility varies by region; only 30% of women in Western Uganda and Northern Uganda gave birth in a health facility compared to 90% of women in Kampala .
VI. Men are more likely than women to engage in risky sexual behaviour, such that as sex with someone who is not a spouse or sex with multiple partners. Because many married men have multiple partners and engage in higher – risk sex, married women often may not be able to avoid the risk of exposure to HIV and other STIs. In the 2006 UDHS, 80% of women and 87% of men say that if a husband has a sexually transmitted infection; his wife is justified in refusing to have sex with him. Nevertheless, many married women say that in fact they cannot refuse sex with their husbands and many say that they cannot ask their husbands to use a condom.
VII. Uganda wastes a lot of resources which would go into free treatment of her people. By 1974, it was possible to go for example to Grade B Entebbe Hospital without someone to care for you and without a coin and leave having got satisfactory service and cured without getting a coin from your pocket. This service shall be rejuvenated. You can only have a productive population when the people are healthy. This however will be in Government establishments.
VIII. “In Moving Out of Poverty by Participatory poverty Assessment Process a Community Synthesis Report of Bamba Village, Bukimbiri Sub – County, Kisoro District. A respondent talked about Persistent sickness: “Ill heath featured prominently as responsible for individuals remaining trapped into poverty. Those who were persistently sick or households that had a patient for a long time spent a lot of their time and resources treating the patient. They reportedly sold their animals and land to meet the medical costs and as a result remained trapped in poverty.”
IX. There are cases of resignation: “Some individuals or households that got stuck in poverty were argued to have a psychological belief that their conditions were attributed to fate. In such circumstances, they never made any efforts to improve their well being and therefore their status never improved. When they decline (get to lower economic status) they become frustrated, stop working and believe that they are what they are because of God’s will!” In such circumstances, advocating for free medical will get people’s hope and energy back, hence productive thereafter.
X. Capacity to be catered for through the Virtual Clearing House where people from the community near to the establishment shall offer their labour including brick making, fetching water, labour to build to have enough capacity for the projected users of the facility.
HIV/AIDS
XI. My idea is to have a more comprehensive strategy which can help the country in dealing with the monster: “That Uganda which constitutes 0.4% of the world’s population accounts for 2.4% of the World’s HIV/AIDS cases, six times its proportionate share, said the Uganda Human Development Report (UHDR) 2002 published by UNDP.
XII. Many times professionals complain about what a government is to do for the better health of their sectors. It can be unfortunate that even when tools for their work are acquired, some pay lip service to them and or just waste away opportunities. For the People in Uganda who are living with HIV/AIDS, it will be difficult to forgive those players who led to the termination of the Global Fund, hereafter referred to as ‘the Global Fund Saga.’ In August 2005, the global Fund suspended all five of its grants to Uganda citing management issues. The Global fund was created in 2002 to facilitate the global efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis. It was aimed at raising funds and pooling money from Governments, businesses, and individuals around the world, and channeling it to the grant. Uganda ’s target was to have 60,000 people on treatment by the end of 2004. According to UNAIDS, this target was missed, and between 40,000 and 50,000 people were receiving drugs. By the end of 2005 the number had risen to between 71,000 and 79,000 representing half those in need. On August 24th 2004, the global Fund decided to suspend grants to Ugandafollowing an independent audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers which revealed evidence of serious mismanagement. Around US $ 280,000 was fraudulently siphoned off when the American dollar grants were converted into Uganda shillings using false exchange rates. The portfolio of grants to Uganda was worth US$ 367million, by the time of suspension, only $4million had been released equivalent to 1.089%!
XIII. The government in perspective to come up with tangible solutions to complacency and the ‘normalization’ of AIDS, which are believed to be responsible for the increase in the risky behaviour that early HIV prevention campaigns sought to reverse. It is said that, “people now think that because HIV has been around for so many years, it is a normal condition among the population.” It will be necessary to set up an HIV/AIDS fund as is currently with the road fund. This to help generate own capacity to develop own capacity in form of national savings out of which funds to buy HIV drugs will be got. And, for other medical cases, specialized units for the purpose and coordinated efforts with organization in HIV/AIDS will help in scaling down the infections. It is absolutely important to note that increasing poverty levels in the countryside have positively contributed to increased spread of HIV. With the proposed policy to employ all able bodied persons, new infections induced by absolute poverty will be greatly reduced.
XIV. There will be scaling up of the home visits when people not in the capacity of volunteers but those employed for the purpose get to the field and do it as routine gainful employment.
XV. Trained personnel in own practice will be taken on board and experts working outside the country will be encouraged to come back with good incentives.
XVI. A formula to be thought in handling complex cases where cost sharing may be necessary.
4. QUALITATIVE; PRACTICAL EDUCATION FOR ALL
I. In order for people to understand and appreciate their opportunities and responsibilities as democratic citizens, they must receive a sound education. Such an education seeks not only to familiarize people with the precepts and principles of democracy, but also to produce citizens who are principled, independent, inquisitive, and analytic in their outlook.
II. Efforts to be made to ensure that all who don’t know how to read and write are taught. This may be at existing Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools or other area deemed convenient. This is an initiative where all the illiterates will be mobilized to ensure that they get functional literacy as a pre requisite for development.
III. Through the community initiative, the people will get involved in building school blocks and as such, shortly there will be no problems of having many children/students but little capacity. These will still have to be cleared for their services by the Virtual Clearing House.
IV. It will be a strategy to see that teacher incentives are put back to the levels before the income was watered down by inflation. Refresher courses to be enhanced and regular.
V. All Government primary schools shall ensure that they teach practical gardening and capacity shall be enhanced for vocationalisation.
VI. Quality teaching shall be enhanced and regular inspection effected.
5. UNIFORM FEDERAL GOVERNANCE IN UGANDA
I. It is not news that at least 60% of interviewed Ugandans wish for a federal system of governance. Time is ripe to see regional governments take shape in Uganda and use this as an avenue to see that poles of growth are seen throughout the country instead of a few places like ear Kampala and that people of which ever area of the country benefit through retaining a potion of the government revenue generated in their areas.
II. There is need to lessen pressure on people eying joining the National Parliament, and this is possible when the regional parliaments take off under the federal arrangement which is the wish of many people as of now.
III. Come up with Parliamentary Legislation of a uniform federal arrangement for Uganda federal regions.
6. ENSURING A LIVING WAGE
I. Corruption has been given a chance because many earn pea nuts given the cost of living, and it is one reason why many skilled and unskilled people have looked for greener pastures elsewhere.
II. A living wage is possible using a strategy to see reduced taxation (that is VAT and on fuel) among other things, and the free medical services.
III. When agro – processing takes off, this is one area where it is hoped that the country will base its increased export base hence income to boost the welfare of the people.
IV. Reducing on wastage and duplication can be a big saving to the country as well as increasing production to work at full capa
1) I have all along been an advocate of the opposition party coalition arrangement with a clear agenda under the Inter Party Cooperation (IPC), however, when nominations for the Presidential candidates were made, it is when my eyes were opened to what I think is a wrong way forward. I advocate for such cooperation where the IPC and not individual party comes out in the final picture; which is equated to one party absorbing others. My belief is that before nomination, the parties under the arrangement would have first convened a conference where members would agree on the way forward including a joint manifesto, what I see is a diffuse arrangement that may be worse than the one popularly known as the Moshi spirit.
2) There are currently no clear ideas that the IPC is fronting which are going to be different from the current Government’s arrangement. This position would be clear as of now, instead each Party President has own party or personal ideologies as reflected at nomination.
3) Given number 1 and 2 above, I see it best an opportunity to offer myself as an Independent Presidential Candidate for 2011 General Elections for I think I have a Vision for the way forward for Ugandawhich we can jointly build on to see our country to prosperity. Work: “… if a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep even as Michaelangelo painted, Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry, he should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say – here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well. Martin Luther King. Jr. “I equally wish to offer myself for a good job for my country, William Kituuka Kiwanuka.
4) Sir Winston Churchill visited Uganda in 1908. He was overwhelmed with her beauty, hence baptizing the country, “The Pearl of Africa.” What frustrates the people of Uganda and the - would be beauty of the country are politicians who are treacherous. They hide their agendas and Ugandans end up being taken for a ride, and the final position is what we reap: underdevelopment, continued poverty, deprivation of the majority by a minority hence an increasing income gap and death of the poor victims as a frustrated lot after being used!
5) Despite several decades of economic growth and huge development aid disbursements, the number of countries called “least developed” (with per capita income less than US $900 a year has in - fact doubled since 1971, from 25 to 49 in the last decade (1990 – 2000) and despite all development efforts – not even one country was able to graduate from this group to a higher income level, with the exception of Botswana. Source: Why Poverty Reduction Programmes did not work – (Resistance to change) By Hans. U. Luther ; An Article in Development Cooperation No.3/2002 (May/June)
6) Based on No. 4 above, it is true that some of our failures as a country coming from accepting to be on the receiving end of ideas as conceived from donors; be they countries and/or bi – lateral or multi – lateral organizations, instead of coming up with our own agenda and convincing them to help fund it as a basis of our cooperation with them, it is this experimentation and or trial coupled with lack of commitment to implement projects/programmes as stipulated in agreements (not forgetting diversion of funds) that is responsible for our under development and constant beggar mentality.
7) A few years ago, I had opportunity of calling at jinja and what I saw I would hardly believe. I had lived in Jinja from 1984 to early 1987. I was working with a banking institution. That time, the exodus to banks by customers was great and the sector was very encouraging. This time around, when I passed around Busoga Square banking area, I was not impressed. It was as if a banking holiday though the bank doors were a jar. One could not see a soul of a bank customer around! This reminded me of the Cooperative Societies which used to be a vehicle for credit and marketing of farmer produce, which are long dead! The future of the Ugandan farmer and businessmen lies in cooperative pooling of resources. With sound capital invested into business entities, there is hope for competitive production of goods and services, and this is the key for the future of Uganda which should target agro – based industrialization. Given this experience, I am committed to seeing a vibrant competitive business climate a reality and the resurrection of cooperative infrastructure as a necessary vehicle in the undertaking.
8) It is also clear that as part of the way forward for Uganda , there is need to build consensus, we should stop this winner takes all mentality and have a win win position for all Ugandans if we are to see ourselves as a united people in diversity. It is against this background that I wish to advocate for a Government of National Unity and Reconciliation where all parties will play a role and have a feeling of belonging. “So, let it be said of us then that we are thinking not only of our time, that we have reached as high as our ideals, that we put aside our divisions and found a new hour of healing and hopefulness, that we joined together to serve and strengthen the land we love – the pearl of Africa: Uganda.”
9) It is unfortunate that there has developed a culture in Uganda where able bodied people who would make serious investments in the country are looking to politics as a life long career and the only means to survive. This has been witnessed in the on going NRM party elections for positions. It is absurd to see people exchange bitter words to the extent of involving fire arms in mere party. The elective offices are seen as the cheaper way to accumulate wealth as compared to agricultural production or undertaking serious business. This conviction among the public induces corruption. This culture has to be reversed so that politics is seen as a sacrifice for one’s country and not a means to milk the taxpayer for one’s welfare irrespective of his/her qualifications which would call for rendering one’s energies elsewhere.
“Together for Uganda – with Courage and Humanity,” will be the title of the Government of National Unity and Reconciliation.
1. Economy & Finance: Stimulating the economy and putting it on a genuine path of real growth by involving all able bodied in productive work. Reforms in taxation to be priority number one to provide for competitive production for the local, regional and International markets. The Re-Birth of the Marshall Investment will be implemented to promote economic growth and eventually induce sustainable development for all the people of Uganda.
2. Labour Market: The fight against unemployment is top on the proposed Government agenda. This is to be with-in the arm pit of the “Virtual Clearing House” arrangement. Savings to be emphasized by all above 18 years.
3. Retirement: The proposed Government to ensure that pension funds in the hands of Government are not abused by anybody in Government and that those qualifying to get benefits find it easy to. Good returns to the savings to be advocated for.
4. Youth: It is not news that the youth are in the dark about their future more so as regards gainful employment. The proposed Government to take up many in the “Virtual Clearing House,” arrangement given the specific needed skills to get it off ground, while many more will benefit from the “Re-Birth of the Marshall Plan,” which will be the engine to stimulate economic growth with eventual results as creation of more effective demand for goods and services as well as employment. The youth to have employable skills enhanced through gaining vocational skills.
5. Foreign Policy: Peaceful solution to conflicts will be promoted. No violation of agreements with the International community for which Uganda is party. “Open Gate Policy” to cooperation with players in International capital who are found genuine. “Good relations with the entire world shall be the basis of any Foreign policy.” Our advocacy for democracy, the rule of law and human rights is to be part of our foreign policy.
6. Federalism: Time to implement the federal arrangement, an important project to see regions share in power and retain an agreed percentage of the revenue generated within the region as well as getting equalization grants.
7. Education & Research: The proposed government considers education and promotion of rights as key subjects for the further development of the economy and country. The country to be at the fore front of scientific and technological progress and information and communication technology to be implemented as well as Functional Literacy for All as within the umbrella of Education For All. Incorporation of vocational education from primary school level to higher levels
8. Cultural leaders: Their roles featuring on cultural promotion to be emphasizes and funded. Their role as co – players in mobilization of the people for development to be encouraged.
9. Health: Free health service provision for all the people of Uganda from Government health facilities. No need to pay fees at these health facilities; though cost sharing for complex cases on a case by case basis. No need for carers in Government facilities.
10. Respect for Religions: In the Spirit of National Unity and Reconciliation, a debate will be opened to see the possibility of working half day from Friday so that the Moslem Community are given chance to worship without interference and also make it possible for people involved in community arrangements to get time off to deal with family obligations as well as other functions and rest up to Sunday.
11. Community as basis for Development: People to be employed within their communities. Employment to be in fields of Agriculture on Community Opened Gardens on land which belongs to the region or to private individual to be used under agreement with Government on user terms. The community infrastructures (schools, hospitals, housing and care for the elderly) to be worked on through community effort but with pay to the players. This to be under the “Virtual Clearing House” arrangement.
12. Gender with emphasis on women rights: The rights of women are to receive further boost stating with 1/3 of cabinet posts, then key Ministries where injustice mainly features, and fight all possible injustices that impact on women negatively.
13. Family: There is the challenge to have smaller manageable family size, implement free Family Planning Services to the needy. Ensure that all women have an income. Discourage teens becoming early mothers.
The innovation to be code named: The Re – birth of the Marshall Plan
What was the Marshall Plan?
President Truman, speech to Congress (12th March, 1947)
The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery and want. They spread and grow in the evil soil of poverty and strife. They reach their full potential when the hope of a people for a better life has died. We must keep that hope alive. If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world - and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation. At the present moment in world history nearly every nation must choose between alternative ways of life. The choice is often not a free one. One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression. The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio, fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedom. I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.
The Marshall Plan (officially the European Recovery Program, ERP) was the primary program, 1947–51, of the United States for rebuilding and creating a stronger economic foundation for the countries of Europe . The initiative was named for Secretary of State George Marshall and was largely the creation of State Department officials, especially William L. Clayton and George F. Kennan. George Marshall spoke of the administration's desire to help the European recovery in his address at Harvard University in June 1947. The reconstruction plan, developed at a meeting of the participating European states, was established on June 5, 1947. It offered the same aid to the USSR and its allies, but they did not accept it. The plan was in operation for four years beginning in April 1948. During that period some US $13 billion in economic and technical assistance were given to help the recovery of the European countries that had joined in the Organization for European Economic Co-operation. This $13 billion was in the context of a U.S. GDP of $258 billion in 1948, and was on top of $12 billion in American aid to Europe between the end of the war and the start of the Plan.
We should be ready for a similar challenge in Ugandagiven the misery of our people.
In all we do we shall need the spirit of being Good Samaritans
Sermon: How to serve people on behalf of God? Luke 10:30-35
Some one once said, “Christians are like fertilizer. Pile them up in one place long enough and they’ll begin to stink. But spread them out and they’ll do some good.” 1. In today’s sermon I am going to talk about doing good to others. The Bible calls this ministry. 2. Most people think ministry means to serve God. This is not wrong but not 100% correct either. In ministry we help people on behalf of God. 3. Today’s message comes from the story of the Good Samaritan which I believe all of you are familiar with – when reading this story you might feel guilty remembering that you passed by some one in need at one time or another. 4. You will ask me what am I supposed to do? The scope of this message is to answer that question.
C. Treating others the way I like to be treated, (Luke 10:33-35)
I. This is the attitude that the Good Samaritan exhibited. II. God has called every Christian to have this attitude. III. Serving and following Christ go hand in hand. Illustration: Christians like to be visited by the Senior Pastor or the church staff in times of need. It’s not wrong. But many excuses are given when they are asked to visit a fellow believer in need. If you want to serve people on behalf of God treat them the way you like to be treated.
2. Now cultivate the attitude of the good Samaritan. How?
A. Start seeing the needs of people around you?
I. We meet needy people every day, (Not only the physically needed. What about those with emotional hurts). II. Your eyes is the birth place of kindness. III. You can’t care until you are aware.
B. What keeps us from seeing the needs of people?
I. Busyness II. Ignorance
C. How to see their needs?
I. Slow down and look around you. II. Stop to talk to some one. III. Give them your undivided attention.
3. Sympathize with people’s pain (be compassionate)
A. Just seeing the need is not enough
Illustration: Most people who see the helpless simply blames the government or church for not doing anything. I. To sympathize means to feel how others feel. (When the Samaritan saw the wounded man, he had pity on him. – Luke 10:33) II. Romans 12:5 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15, NET)
B. How to sympathize with others?
I. To do so one must give up his prejudices and stop making assumptions about others. II. The Jews and Samaritans hated each other so much, people were surprised when Jesus made a Samaritan the hero of the story. III. Learn to see the people around you as Jesus sees them. God cares for everyone. If you want to serve people you must care for those who God cares for. IV. Learn to Listen: Sometimes the greatest way to serve some one is just listening, (Galatians 6:2). There’s a story behind every need.
C. Learn from your struggles
I. God allows certain struggles in your life so that you can learn to sympathize with and serve the needy and hurting people around you. II. “Who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4, NET)
4. Seize the opportunity and meet the need – How?
A. Take action
I. Don’t wait. II. Don’t delay. III. Don’t procrastinate. Do what you can at that moment, (Proverbs 3:27-28)
B. Get down to the victim’s level
I. The Samaritan stooped down and got on the man’s level. II. The Samaritan didn’t act superior.
C. Be willing to take the risk
I. In order to seize the moment, you must be willing to take a risk. II. The Samaritan took a risk: What if the robbers were still in the area? III. We don’t like to get involved with other’s pain and brokenness because it reminds us of our own.
5. Be willing to sacrifice yourself
A. Serving is costly
I. It costs you money. II. It costs you time. III. It costs you energy
B. You might not gain anything in return
I. The Samaritan took the injured man to a motel. II. He likely had to travel a great distance. III. He nursed the victim throughout the night and then paid the bill at personal expense. What did he gain? Nothing. III. Galatians 6:10 says, “So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith. (Galatians 6:10, NET)
6. Wrapping it up
A. If you want to fulfill God’s calling to serve others:
I. First Grow an attitude of love. II. Be compassionate. III. Don’t ignore opportunities to help some one. IV. Be willing to pay the price.
B. Don’t get discouraged when you are not appreciated
I. So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9, NET)
Uganda’s Major Problems
For the people of Uganda , insecurity and armed conflict have been the greatest threats to health and survival, and the greatest obstacles to economic and social development during the past 40 years. Few parts of the country have been completely spared the horrors of war, violence, bloodshed and plunder. The country’s history since Independence abounds with episodes of Government sponsored violence against its own citizens of armed opposition to Government - sponsored violence against its own citizens, of armed opposition to Government forces, and of violence carried out by rebel movements against citizens.
Situated at the heart of the politically and ethically volatile Great Lakes region, Uganda has also bee drawn into regional disputes leading to armed conflict.
Cases on Point
“The Danish Government on 5th May 2000 asked Uganda to pull out of the Democratic Republic of Congo and use the money it is spending on the war there for economic development. The negative consequences for the economy of this presence of Uganda in the DRC and the delegation said Denmark would give UgandaUS$54m for the year.”
“The United Nations Observer Mission in Congo (MONUC) issued a statement condemning Uganda for the May 5 fight in Kisangani , (DRC). The members of the mission unanimously deplored the military action inKisangani unreservedly, the statement read.”
“The United States 5th May issued a vigorous condemnation of attacks by Ugandan troops in the DRC and warned that they could affect relations between Washington and Kampala . “The United States strongly condemns attacks by Ugandan forces against Rwandaarmy troops in Kisangani , DRC,” State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said. “They are a violation of DRC sovereignty and a clear violation of the Lusaka Peace agreement,” he said. “These types of attacks erode the confidence of the people of central Africaand of the International Community, which has been asked to support the implementation of the Lusaka Agreement,” Boucher said. “We note that these actions could have a significant impact on US – Ugandan bilateral relations,” he said.
“The European Union might consider imposing sanctions on countries involved in the DRC, the EU Special Representative to the great Lakes region, Ambassador Aldo Ajelo said. Speaking to journalists at the French Embassy in Kampala November 8, Ajello said the EU was disappointed over the growing violation of the Lusaka Peace Agreement for the Pacification of DRC. “We have up to now restrained ourselves from posing and setting up restrictions and conditionalities to countries involved; thinking that there will be an African solution, but there is a debate inside the EU considering that option,” he said.
“An estimated 20,000 children were abducted as child soldiers by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) since 1990. The conflict could better be categorized as a “war against children – fought by children. The ‘night commuter’ phenomenon, where literally hundreds of children would trek several kilometers every evening to the relative safety of towns, was unheard of in any other conflict worldwide.” Source: At a Glance …. European Union in Uganda .
The High Human Poverty index in Uganda
The High Human Poverty Index (HPI) in Uganda estimated to be 37.5% in 2001, which reflects a high proportion of the population not expected to survive to the age of 40; a high proportion of the population without access to both safe water (43.0%) and health facilities (51%) and a high proportion of malnourished children (22.8%).
It is true that about 89% of Uganda ’s population live in rural areas and depend for their livelihood on subsistence agriculture. Statistics indicate that most rural populations are agricultural workers (81.5%). The main source of household livelihood in rural areas is subsistence farming on which about 80% of the rural population depends, and only 1.38% of the rural households derive their livelihood from commercial farming.
Because most rural households depend on agriculture for their livelihood, their low income levels is the basic reason for the high Human Poverty Index.
In terms of the Human Development Index, Ugandadeclined from the 144th position in 2005 to 145th in 2006.
Getting Maximum Benefits from Donor Funds
On average, donor commitment to Uganda during the period 2000/01 – 2006/07 was US$915 m per year. In 2003/04 total donor commitments were US$583.5 m; this increased and more than doubled in 2004/05 to US$1269.8 m before decreasing to US$509.8 m in 2005/06. The decline was due to aid cut back because of delayed fulfillment of related Good Governance conditionalities.
It is unfortunate to be on record that the country has had aid cut backs as a punitive measure to see the NRM leaders foot Good Governance conditionalities. My pledge is to ensure Good governance the norm.
Donor funding to Uganda from 2000/01 to 2006/07
This assistance is broken down and the total in US dollars given for the period 2000/01 to 2006/07 for each category:
1) Debt Relief – 746,755
2) HIPC Debt Relief – 473,390,000
3) Budget Support – 2,689,512,856
4) Emergency Relief Assistance – 175,346,348
5) Food Aid – 18,287,201
6) Free Standing Technical Cooperation – 332,781,351
7) Investment Project Assistance – 1,677,158,831
8) Investment Related Technical Assistance – 954,183,481
9) Other Project Related Assistance – 145,830,812
It is unfortunate that Uganda receives Food Aid, when it should be having surplus food given its good climate with two rain seasons a year for a bigger part of the country.
Donor Funds per year from 2000/01 to 2006/07
1. 2000/01 – 732,184,984
2. 2001/02 – 908,556,020
3. 2002/03 – 897,897,627
4. 2003/04 – 1,120,770,328
5. 2004/05 – 1,039,502,352
6. 2005/06 – 733,895,972
7. 2006/07 – 1,035,456,322
A comment has been made to the effect that the donor funding NRM Government got since 1986 could have easily made Uganda the Switzerland of Africa,
The 10 biggest source of Funding to Uganda taking totals for the period 2000/01 – 2006/07 are:
1. IDA of World Bank – 29%
2. United Kingdom - 13%
3. European Union - 10%
4. USAID - 8%
5. The African Development Bank - 5%
6. Netherlands - 4%
7. Denmark - 4%
8. Germany - 4%
9. The World Food Programme – 4%
10. All the remaining donors share 15%
Strategy to benefit from more donor support (Big donors to give more money and the small ones to give big money):
1) One may say that it is by grace of God that the donors still give us the lot they do. The indicators on good Governance are self explanatory. In an attempt for the NRM Government to see that it remains in power, it has been guilty of human rights abuses;
2) The level of corruption is simply unacceptable yet Government is using kid gloves to deal with the corrupt, and we are yet to see the big fish touched;
3) The corrupt should refund the stolen funds. We are yet to see this seriously done by Government;
4) There are a number of Committee Reports which are simply gathering dust and Parliament is reluctant to finalize sentence to the culprits;
5) It was unfortunate that the NRM Government changed the Constitution for the benefit of one person; though the country has a terrible record for which the framers of the Constitution fixed two terms and nothing short of that. If we get to Government one of the first businesses to be conducted by Parliament will be to re – instate the wording as it was before being tampered with for the two term limits;
6) The value for money – it disturbs to hear billions of shillings talked about all the time but what is done many times falls short of the funding.
7) Our President has tempted donors to cut aid in that it is not unusual for them to give them a bashing. We believe this is contrary to the diplomacy and respect that should be accorded to donors;
8) The NRM has had a trend of writing and thereafter reading budgets for a formality. At the end of each financial year, may projects are not completed, some not started and unfortunately, year after year, there is no link shown whereby uncompleted business would be continued and completed the following year;
9) There is a culture of budget cuts. It disturbs to see budgets cut to meet what is taken as priorities where military business has been a big sinner. That is why we think that conflict should be sorted peacefully;
Commitment to pay debt
It is good business for a country like Uganda to borrow and expect to pay back. That way, if donors are pleased with the payments and they cancel some of the debt it is fine. As at 31st March, Uganda ’s debt stock stood at US$1.1 bn. It had been US$4.3 bn as at the end of March 2006. The decrease in debt was a result of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) from IMF, World Bank and African Development Bank that cancelled all the eligible debt. IMF cancelled all outstanding debt stock to the Government of Uganda contracted prior to 31st December 2003 while the World Bank and African Development Bank cancelled all debt outstanding as of 31st December 2004.
Loans approved by Parliament in just 2007/07
1) IDA for Millennium Science Initiative Project – US$ 30,962,963
2) ADF Support to Health Sector Strategic Plan II US $29,498,525
3) IDA for E. A Trade & transport Facilitation US$ 26,262,626
4) ADF Road Sector Support Project – US$ 48,657,817
5) IDA Poverty Reduction Support Credit –US$ 126,575,183
6) IDA Power Sector Development Operation – US$ 300,000,000
What has to be noted is that these sums of money are substantial. The question which remains is how well we do the evaluation of what the money has been put on. Do we really get value for money, US$126,575,183 for poverty reduction should really have impact, but what we see on ground is that people are being impoverished on.
Grants received by Government for the years 2003/04 – 2006/7
These are in three categories: Project Support; Budget Support and Emergency Aid. Total figures are:
1. 2003/04 – US$ 804.2m
2. 2004/05 – US$ 789.51
3. 2005/06 – US$ 485.07
4. 2006/07 – US$ 674.30
NUSAF2
The Second Northern Uganda Social action Fund (NUSAF2) is a Government of Uganda Project that is financed by a Specific Investment Loan (SIL) of US$ 100 m from the World Bank (IDA). In addition, the Department for International Development (DIFD) of the United Kingdom is to contribute 24 million pounds in the next five years. NUSAF2 is a multi – sectoral community demand driven Project of the government which is part of Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) implementation.
World Bank Role in Uganda
The World Bank has actively supported Uganda’s economic recovery efforts. By 2000 – 2001, the World Bank portfolio comprised adjustment support totaling about US$790 m since 1987; and 24 projects in agriculture, and the social sectors, with a total commitment of over US$1 bn.
Active Projects by 2000/01
Agriculture & Environment
1) Agriculture Research & Training I: FY (1993 – 2000) – US$25.04m (IDA) – The project supports Government’s strategy for improving productivity and diversification in the agricultural sector through the development and transfer of improved technology. The broad objective of the project was to develop an organizational framework and institutional processes for agricultural research which is sustainable and efficient as well as responsive to the production constraints facing farmers in Uganda.
2) Cotton Sub – sector Development (CSDP): FY (1994 – 2000) – US$ 14.00m (IDA: The project was to support Governments’ strategy to revive the Cotton production and exports through increased competition in Cotton processing and marketing and improved supporting systems.
3) Environment Management Capacity Building: FY (1996 – 2001) – US$ 11.80m (IDA): The project was the first segment of a longer – term program to support NEAP implementation.
4) Institutional capacity Building for capacity for Protected Areas Management and Sustainability Use Project (ICB – PAMSU): FY (1998 – 2002) US$ 12.37 m (IDA) – The project’s main objective was to establish effective institutional capacity within the wild life and tourism sectors for strategic planning, program development and implementation, and to promote long – term sustainability.
5) Lake Victoria Environment Management: FY (1997 – 2002) US$12.10 m (IDA) – The project’s objectives were to maximize the sustainable benefits to riparian communities from using resources within the basin to generate food, employment and income, supply safe water, and sustain a disease free environment, etc.
Infrastructure
6) El Nino Emergency Road Repair: FY (1998) – US$27.60 m (IDA) – The project aimed at: i) Reducing infrastructure – related market and distribution costs countrywide, by reducing road transport costs to their pre – emergency levels; ii) Securing the timely delivery of social services to the affected populations, etc.
7) First Urban: FY (1991 – 2000) US$ 28.70 m (IDA) – The project included improving living conditions and alleviating poverty in Kampala by restoring key infrastructure services and related maintenance activities, etc.
8) Institutional & Engineering Support to the Road Sector: FY (1998 – 2000) US$30.0 m (IDA) – The project’s objectives are to i) Strengthen road sector management capability through spinning off road administration and execution activities under the Ministry of Works, etc.
9) Small Towns Water and Sanitation: FY (1994 – 2001) US$42.30 m (IDA) – The project was to support Government’s economic recovery program by extending the rehabilitation and upgrading of water supply and sanitation services, etc.
10) Transport Rehabilitation: FY (1994 – 2000) US$ 75.00 m (IDA) -Aimed to assist the Government in providing the basic road infrastructure to help the recovery efforts. Etc
Public and Private Sector Management
11) Institutional Capacity Building: FY (1995 – 2000) US$ 36.40 m (IDA) –
12) Private Sector Competitiveness: FY (1996 – 2001) US$ 12.30 m (IDA)
Health Sector:
13) The District Health services and Pilot project: FY (1995 – 2002) US$ 45.0 m (IDA).
14) Sexually Transmitted Infections: FY (1994 – 2000) US$ 50.0 m (IDA).
15) Education Sector Adjustment: FY (1998 – 2000) US$ 80.0 m (IDA.
16) Primary Education and Teacher Development; FY (1993 – 2000) US$ 52.60 m (IDA).
17) Nutritional and early Childhood Development: FY (1998 – 2003) (IDA) – The project was to contribute to poverty alleviation and human capital development objectives by improving development interventions targeted to the most vulnerable segments of the population – namely, young children and mothers. The development objective of the project is to improve the health, nutritional and cognitive status of preschool children in Uganda. The project strategy involved the provision of community - based child development services and enhancement of women’s ability to care for children – by providing them with knowledge on proper child caring practices and by increasing their income – earning opportunities. At the end of the 5 year implementation period, the project evaluation would be made. NB of all the IDA loans, this one has many questions.
18) Agricultural Research and Training Project - Phase Ii US$ 26.0 m (IDA) Mostly for Agricultural Research.
19) Financial Markets Assistance Project: US$ 13 m (IDA)
20) Nakivubo Channel Rehabilitation Project: US$ 32 m (IDA) – When you see how some parts of Kampala are inconvenienced by the floods you wonder whether this money would not have done a far better job!
World Bank funded projects closed during 1999
21) Agricultural Extension: FY 1993 – US$ 15.79 m
22) Enterprise Development ; FY (1992 – 1999) US$ 41.85 m (IDA)
23) Structural adjustment III: FY (1998 – 1999) US$ 125.0 m (IDA).
24) Third Power: FY (1991 – 1999) – US$ 125 m (IDA).
25) Economic & Financial Management: FY US$ (1993 – 1999) – US$ 29.0 m (IDA).
The Listing of these funds serves a dual purpose in that it gives Ugandans the picture into how hopeless our economy is; with all this money yet we claim to be generating good money locally, where does this money really go? It is also important to know that this money has to be paid back. Fortunately, when World Bank realized how impoverished Ugandans are though a lot of money had been poured into the economy, they made a decision for which we should be most grateful on forgiving us the loans.
At the 1995 World summit for Social development – The Copenhagen Declaration noted that globalization creates new opportunities for sustained economic growth and development of the World economy, particularly in developing countries. Yet the International Community has become painfully aware since the summit that the globalization of capital and information has not always resulted in the globalization of better living standards.
It is also clear that even well intentioned social policies and programmes too often do not reach the poor people, under certain circumstances even undermine their well being.
MAJOR HUMAN RIGHTS THAT ARE TO BE PROMOTED AS IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO ENHANCE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE
1) Article 1: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are gifted with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
2) Article 3: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
3) Article 23:
i. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
ii. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
iii. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable payment ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
iv. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
4) Article 25:
i. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
ii. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
5) Article 26:
i. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
ii. Education shall be directed to full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United nations for the maintenance of peace.
HOW WILL I MANAGE GOVERNMENT BUSINESS?
1) Encourage Communication from the people directly to an email contact set for the purpose: More often than not, the Presidency keeps the one in chair out of touch wit the people. My approach will be different if I get the opportunity to get to the high office in the land. 1st of all, shortly after getting to office, we shall ensure that at least each village has a caf̩. Good enough, many place in Uganda currently has some caf̩ where people go and do their communications. There will be an email contact through which people may directly reach me. This I hope will be facilitated by some personal assistant such that as news is read, I should have 2 Р3 hours a day devoted to this cause. When an issue is put to my attention which issues will not include employment, contracts name it, I will be able through a Personal Assistant to see that a relevant reply is given and or the matter is referred to the attention of some office which should be able to give timely feedback regarding action taken. As for jobs and tenders, the people should be able to use the right channels. My business if elected to the powerful office is to put right what has been messed up and some people see it as the norm. This method will equally apply to some Government meetings where it would require movement of people to discuss.
2) Shall use tele – conferencing facility: I shall endeavour to see that key Government offices can manage to hold tele – conference, where it should be possible to discuss issues without having to assemble in some room.
3) The use of the Digital camera facility or Video recordings: Use digital camera and or recordings of what is going on at various sites where Government has interest.
4) There will be promoted use of the Global Learning Centre: A lot of time and resources are wasted when people have to move either upcountry to meet while they would get somewhere if the used Video Conferencing. The use and utilization of this facility is to be boosted and other centres will be opened up countrywide to reduce on people having to travel for meetings and relevant discussions.
5) Having the Auditor General to perform the Audit before funds are spent: Uganda has lost enough funds due to the current procedure where the Auditor general and say Inspector of Government come in after funds have been spent. Whether it means increasing capacity in form of manpower, the Government I have in picture will endeavour that the Auditor general’s office okays all those expenditures which are not routine. It disturbs for example to find Councilors being able to award themselves funds as they may wish. This has to come to an end. The New Vision October 10 2005 reported that: “District Tender Boards are most corrupt in Local Government. This was according to a report: “The impact of political corruption on resource allocation and service delivery.” Briefly, the report says that the procurement process and award of tenders is the most abused and used channel for political corruption.” Sincerely, I cannot allow this to continue. Their transactions ought to be okayed by the Auditor General’s Office before undertaken. “The Economic Policy and Research Centre on November 4, 2003 showed that the private tender system in six districts studied : Mbale, Kamuli, Mubende, Masaka, Ntungamo, and Arua had very serious defects, and amounted to a little more than a transfer of money from ordinary often very poor tax payers to the pockets of richer tax collection agents and their associates. Given that gross profit margins to tenderers vary from between 100% to almost 1000% in these districts, and hence it tantamounts to a gigantic rip off, said Professor Frank Ellis, Senior Consultant on the EPRC study team. It disturbs to see this type of developments going on yet the districts cry of not having enough revenue and instead want to look to new sources of revenue hence living the local population without any disposable income worth talking about which throws them into more poverty all the time. According to the findings of the 2002 Uganda Participatory Poverty Action Plan (UPPAP), “As local governments continue to search for new ways to generate higher incomes, they burden residents with ever increasing numbers and types of levies, licences, fees and taxes, to the point that multiple local levels licencing and taxation, and its maladministration, is now among the leading causes of poverty in Uganda. According to EPRC, “this practice sours relations between local governments and their citizens and discourages initiative and enterprise.”
6) Use of requests for periodical feedbacks regarding projects and programmes: It will be a practice to call for feedback periodically from the concerned Government officers regarding progress of projects/programmes and the monitoring as well as evaluation reports a must.
7) Daily trial balances for Government Business: By the end of business on each day, every officer handling Government cash will be required to have that cash verified and there should be no retiring to leave unfinished business. This is how back logs start and differences in books and these reports must be available for verification at end of each business day.
8) Government office to give overview of day’s business: It should be possible to get a summary report from each government office of what took place in the day. This will call for the drive for computerization of all Government offices and connection to the Internet.
9) Feed back on Implementation of the gender policy: I will seek to be updated on the implementation of the Gender Policy in all Government departments. We are aware of the long standing imbalances in our society which have to be addressed. All officers in charge of staff must be in the know regarding the policy and shall be required to see it bear fruit. Relevant Organs to which Uganda is party in respect of gender equality are: The east African Community (EAC) Treaty (2000), The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Gender Policy (MAY 2002), The Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa (July 2003), the Inter Government Authority on development (IGAD), Gender Policy and Strategy (July 2004), The New Partnerships for African Development (NEPAD) through its programmes which are exposed to enhancing women’s human rights through the application of Social Development Indicators and The AU Heads of State Solemn Declaration on gender Equality (July 2004).
At the global level, instruments include: The Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979) and its Optional Protocol (adopted in October 1999) entered into force December 2000), the Beijing Declaration and Plan for Action (1995), The Commonwealth Plan of Action on gender development; Advancing the Commonwealth Plan of Action on gender and Development into the New Millennium (2005 – 2010), The International Conference on Population and development (1994), The United Nations Declaration on Violence against Women (DEVAW, 1993), The Millennium Declaration (2000), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, 1990).
10) Non interference into the work of the judiciary: if Ugandans entrust me into the highest office in the land, I will not get myself involved with the work of the judiciary, be it who in Government, as long as he/she is caught on the wrong side of the law, he will have to face the dire consequences without fear or favour. And in case one has a case to answer, he may have to leave office until it is settled. There should be no immunity whatsoever, as this is how corruption and other malpractices are given room in Government.
11) Regarding People sentenced to death: Though the death sentence remains on Uganda’s legal books, since I cannot create a person, I don’t think and I will never exercise that authority to execute a person. Instead, those sentenced to death may have to serve a life sentence until some other authority decides otherwise but not me. It is also true that we have people here who can give false testimony to incriminate others. There is a man in the west who was sentenced to death for murdering his son. The son afterwards ‘resurrected,’ assuming someone has executed him?
12) Business of State House with Investors: I have seen the President so much involved in directly attracting Investors into the country and finishing deals in their favour. I don’t want to be involved. What I would love to be involved with is the creation of a conducive climate for locals to do business and foreigners to find it attractive and safe to put their money in Uganda. There are credible levels we should emulate. Uganda is supposed to be lead by people inspired by God who should lead His lambs on His behalf and not to betaken up and compromised by such deals for when the deal goes bad it back fires to whoever was involved. I want to be above such.
13) Favouring school-mates: I am fortunate that in much I have been doing over the last 4 or so years, I have known my school and done work as a thank you for the education background, but fortunately, I am not in bondage to promote St. Mary’s College Kisubi in Government if I get opportunity to the highest office in the land. I believe already a number of SMACK OBs are well positioned and others can toil for themselves, but nothing like a SMACK empire to be created by me.
14) Relatives: Yes, I have very many relatives who are not well to do. However, it will not be my method to use the office to see them into positions. This is the part of corruption we are fighting. Given opportunity and I have some money to open undertakings, I will definitely involve them that way. I wish not to soil my name. I love to make a contribution for 5 years not more and go if the good Lord grants the gift of life.
15) The requirement for each and everybody 18 years and above to have a source of income and an account of some sort with some savings: Poverty shall remain the norm if we don’t come up with strategies in form of a big push to do away with it. You find a woman by her poor rented room with a child and she is there waiting for what the husband brings back. A man who earns shs 2,000 a day gives a command to the woman not to work! This status quo is simply unacceptable; this poverty is leading to a lot of domestic problems. Women cannot get 100% of their needs from men, so they have to work. If I am elected by the people of Uganda, I will push for the “Virtual Clearing House, get it capitalized, and it will not be anybody’s business f one decides not to work for pay and he/sleeps hungry, though we may not give it chance anyway. The statistics below show the picture:
i. An analysis of the 31% Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS 2006) of the population currently living below poverty line indicates that poverty impacts differently on different groups. The Social Development Sector Strategic Investment Plan (SDIP) indicates that women (33%) tend to be poorer than men (30%). This is more severe for widows (34%) including people living in households which are headed by widows. Further, there are an estimated 1.8 m orphans (13% of Ugandan children), Population and Housing Census, (2002). The Social Development Sector Strategic Investment Plan (SDIP) indicates that 41% of boy – orphans and 36% of girl orphans fall below the poverty line.
ii. The Participatory Poverty Assessment (2002) reveals that women’s inadequate control over livelihood assets such as land, labour, skills and information, networks, technology, and financial capital remains one of the root causes of poverty. For instance, although 83% of women are engaged in agricultural production, only 25.5% control the land they cultivate (UDHS), 2000/01). This scenario creates enormous challenges for the women as they are increasingly taking on the burden of family provisioning, thus seriously undermining the sustainability of the household livelihoods. Therefore, gender inequality is key area that has to be tackled through systematic removal of the constraints to women and men’s livelihoods.
iii. A gender analysis of Uganda national Household Survey (UNHS) 1992 -2003) data indicates that around 20% of Ugandan households are chronically poor and more than 10% of the poorest households moved into poverty between (1992 – 1999). The analysis further shows that with regard to income poverty, higher proportions of women headed households are chronically poor.
iv. Women continue to suffer very high burdens in pursuing their livelihood strategies. The Uganda Strategic Country gender Assessment (World Bank 200%) reveals that women work considerably longer hours than men (between 12 and 18 hours a day, with a mean of 15 hours), compared with an average male working day of 8 to 10 hours. Women bear the brunt of domestic tasks, in addition to agricultural and other productive work. The time and effort required for these tasks, in almost total absence of even rudimentary domestic technology, is staggering. This has a negative effect on food security, household income, children’s schooling, participation in community life, health, and overall productivity.
v. Regarding health rights, high maternal mortality and morbidity rates remain a challenge. Evidence from the Uganda demographic and health Survey (2006) shows that infant mortality is 76 deaths per 1,000 births and under five mortality is 137 per 1,000 births. Similarly, the UDHS 2000/01 puts maternal mortality ratio at 505 per 100,000 live births. The high total fertility rate at 6.9 has a bearing on the rapidly increasing growth rates (3.3%) per annum, which in turn has negative consequences on provision of health services for women and increases the dependence ratio. The high incidence of teenage pregnancies is associated with high risks to health and life of both the mother and child. As a signatory to the International Conference on Child Development (ICDP 1994) Government must be committed to promotion of sexual and reproductive health rights by putting gender relations at the centre of health and population interventions.
16) I am not a tribalist: I am a nationalist; It is true I am a Muganda but to me all Ugandans are equal before God and before the Constitution of Uganda. Much as I like to see a Muganda happy, the same way I like any other body to enjoy his life in Uganda. For instance, if the people of Uganda vote for me, I will ensure that all those who have grown up without knowing that bread has to go with butter and jam get to re – discover them. This sincerely cannot be for Baganda alone. It pains me to see people from all parts of Uganda come to Buganda to get jobs. Now with the Re – Birth of the Marshall plan there will be no reason why one has to migrate from his/her mother home because all the resources should be available country wide.
17) The culture of begging from politicians must stop: This business of seeing politicians as providers while every body is expected to earn a decent living is partly responsible for our problems. Because people are made to believe that income is for a privileged few, they end up worshipping them, hence we remain with a fleet of politicians who are just exploiting the people with no positive contribution worth mentioning. The culture of begging politicians should be criminal. Everybody will be provided with an environment to make a fairly decent living so that we see off those politicians who deceive our people with hand-outs and turn around to exploit them hence failing to provide for a meaningful welfare for them and the vicious circle of poverty continues.
18) Have monitors in place: Much of the money which would benefit the people of Uganda has been eaten by a few in positions where they access this money. This one is to become history. As the NRM Government has Presidential advisors, this time we are to have monitors. Whatever is going on and has had money spent on it must be monitored and no excuse to be given for its having gone wrong. No spending funds out of the ordinary without the authority of the Auditor General and specifications in the contract have to be met and enforced. No backlog is to be accommodated. Where ever there is need for more staff, that staff shall be provided. With technology in place, no lousy excuses to be accepted that information was stolen because they broke into an office. All Government documents MUST have a back up.
19) The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) to be given capacity to check dumping into the country: It is very disappointing to buy a shoe and it cannot last even a month yet when it is new. UNBS to be given capacity to ensure that dumping is not entertained. There is need to look into having price tags for goods on sale. It is very normal for traders to cheat people because they don’t fix price tags. I recall when someone got shs 20,000 from me for a charger which goes for shs 5,000!
20) Rewarding Reporters: Many times people sit on crucial information which information if given would be so crucial in saving the country loss of money. Whoever makes such a report to government and it is proved right will enjoy a certain percentage to be determined by the right authorities and in case it is not money or quantifiable in money terms, still to be rewarded in money terms as shall be determined by the right organ in place.
21) Look into compensation of properties lost under various circumstances: There are developments that have induced our people into poverty say when markets have burnt and traders have been left in vacuum. There are incidences where various compensations should have been enjoyed after death of loved ones, etc. Some organ to be put in place to review such cases, may be could be done by the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
22) Revival of Jinja Industries: The poverty in Jinja to be addressed by seeing to measures to revive the industries in Jinja and see to many more come up. It is a sad development the story of Busoga.
23) Review the work of the Privatisation Unit (Public Enterprise Reform and Divestiture (PERD): In 1992, just before the advent of reform in earnest, the parastatal sector was standing at over 140 enterprises covering a diverse range of activities from trade and commerce, agro-production and processing, manufacturing, insurance and utility services. Over 85% were commercial in nature and according to reports these were already facing competition from the private sector. The enterprises were operating at well below 30% capacity utilization and contributed only 5% to GDP. In addition, out of national debt stock of US$ 3.5 bn, 28% (US$ 986 m) was generated by the private enterprises – worse still these debts were guaranteed by Government. The public enterprises were therefore inefficient and unable to generate enough resources to finance their operations and save for re-investment.
24) People who take up contracts and they don’t remit money: It is unfortunate that some people get contracts, continue to get money from say parks and because they think they have cover, continue to collect the revenue for own consumption. This simply cannot be left. This is the reason why we keep a begging economy.
THE INNOVATIONS I AM FRONTING FOR THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT OF UGANDA
1) A VIRTUAL CLEARING HOUSE
2) EMPLOYMENT OF ALL PEOPLE OF UGANDA (SKILLED & UNSKILLED)
3) FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR ALL
4) QUALITATIVE ; PRACTICAL EDUCATION FOR ALL
5) UNIFORM FEDERAL GOVERNANCE IN UGANDA
6) ENSURING A LIVING WAGE
7) ENSURING A BALANCED DIET FOR ALL
8) CONTROL OF BIRTH THROUGH EDUCATION & FAMILY PLANNING
9) PUTTING IN PLACE MEASURES TO MINIMISE CORRUPTION
10)BOOSTING AGRO – PROCESSING INDUSTRIALISATION
11)BOOSTING OUR EXPORT BASE
12)FIGHTING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
13)ENSURING REGIONAL POLES OF GROWTH
14)IMPLEMENTING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS
15)CATERING FOR THE ELDERLY
16)IMPLEMENTING A STUDENT LOAN SCHEME FOR HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING
17)SCRAPPING GOVERNMENT SPONSORSHIP
18)PROMOTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN ALL AREAS POSSIBLE.
19)ENSURING LITERACY FOR ALL AND TEACHING OF RIGHTS
20)ENSURING THAT GOVERNMENT OBSERVES HUMAN RIGHTS
21)THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE PREVAILS.
22)PROMOTION OF A SAVING AND INVESTMENT CULTURE
23)REDUCTION OF VAT RATE AND TAXATION RATES WHICH ARE ON THE HIGH HENCE MAKE BUSINESS UNCOMPETITIVE INTERNATIONALLY; FOR EXAMPLE ON FUEL
24)ABOLISHING TAXATION ON GOVERNMENT
NB It is important to note that the 24 listed are representing major policy areas which will be different from the way the NRM conducts its business. What is not touched here has intentionally been left out and may be streamlining may be required but not a major policy objective as many of the listed portray. These (24) are what bring out the distinctiveness between the two that is the NRM and the proposed Government set up. For instance, it is wrong to discuss matters of the East African Community here apart from ensuring that agreements are implemented to ensure its sustained existence for the benefit of all the peoples of the member countries. It is also true that the outlined are the areas I would have to try hard to see that Parliament when it is the relevant organ to handle does in conformity with my conviction for the welfare of the people of Uganda, more so the poor who more often are impoverished the more due to policy in place over which they remain enslaved and victims.
The Chief Executive Vs the PRO
CE: How come we have no contribution in this issue?
PRO: Sir, You know, the company policy is that we must have a look at the previous issue before we make a contribution.
CE: Scrap that right away. We have missed a chance of being party to an educative Magazine to which we would have contributed. We should be able to gauge the type of Magazine when the Editor gives us a hint.
The Logic of the above:
Someone will say: “So and so, why give him a vote? I have not seen him deliver, what is his background, and so on and so forth. The gist of the matter is; how do we move forward? What I have outlined is fundamentally what I will endeavour to convince other players in Government to ensure implemented, and I want to assure the people of Uganda that I have the will; and all a long I have had that heart which feels for the deprived, the injustices in our country. The Baganda have a saying which when interpreted to English means that: You may think you despise some one because he is not big. Here it is not body size that matters, not wealth, but Ideas and such ideas which are not a gamble, but those that will definitely work. I would love to work under the Agenda to see Uganda a better country for all of us with the cooperation and support of the established political party leaders and their members. I believe I have the key to unite Ugandans at this crucial stage in our history, and thereafter, I should leave the stage but having set the ground for that Democracy which many leaders don’t want to give chance. So please, let us unit for a way forward as one person under a Government of National Unity and when we have sustained that, it should be easy for each of us to go to his party which he so cherishes.
The NRM has been given its chance: What is the evaluation like?
The NRM waged a 5 year Bush War because The Late Paulo Muwanga helped Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) to ‘win’ the 1980 General Elections. In power, NRM leaders promised Ugandans a fundamental change. The question is: “Today, when the Uganda Opposition openly declares that elections conducted by the NRM Government have a lot of rigging, is there justification for the 5 year bush way and the suffering later on deaths endured? NRM Leadership has to know: “The probability of a theory or practice in Science can be demonstrated by performing an objective experiment. Findings can be compared after a series of observations and errors are evaluated. The opposite however is true for the politician – history gives him only a single chance. The failure of a social experiment usually is not only a personal catastrophe for the individual politician, but of the basic concept he was fighting for as well.”
Developing a Culture of Peaceful Settlement of Conflict
In Uganda , we MUST endorse a culture of peaceful resolution of Conflict. One reason why poverty is so much, so many unemployed youth, and low production capacity, wrong policy a part; the NRM over its tenure of office has been involved in the use of war to solve conflicts; and this is regrettable. It was hard to believe that not long ago when Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) were in Congo pursuing Kony, Ug. Shs 400m or so (if my memory is good) was being use daily, and they were there for a month or so. In such circumstances a country cannot escape being poor. Adam Smith says in The wealth of Nations: “Among the civilized nations of modern Europe … not more than one – hundredth part of the inhabitants of any country can be employed as soldiers, without ruin to the country that pays the expense of their service.” The basic truth is that war is a parasitical part of the economy, particularly when it becomes professionalized. Professional armies cannot feed or clothe themselves or even provide themselves with weapons. This has to be done by the civilian population.
People will always tell you, “You are not a military personnel, how can you rule Uganda ?
First of all, let me be clear once again, I am advocating for a Government of National Unity and Reconciliation which Uganda needs most as of now. In this arrangement, all parties will play roles to ensure that we move forward democratically, and there will be no winner takes it all given that I am an Independent candidate. We seriously cannot live in perpetual fear endlessly; we must boldly come out and say, this is what we want. Yet even those who imagine that they have a right to keep Ugandans in slavery will one of these days turn to God and do justice. “Peace is the greatest good that people can wish for in life.” When the great humanist Cervantes wrote this, he was stating the principle position of pacifism, where attainment of peace is regarded as the highest possible value to which all other aspirations should be subordinated. Yet history is full of examples where peace has been consciously sacrificed for attaining other goals, for preserving faith and principles, and for materialism and ideology. It can be remembered by those of us who were around in 1983: “On December 3, 1983, Ugandans woke up to the shocking news on Radio Uganda that the country’s powerful and feared Army Chief of Staff, Major General David Oyite Ojok had died. It was the closest to Ugandans experiencing the death of a sitting President.” Yes, you may think that you are at liberty to take away people’s rights and deny them their wishes by using fear, but, at times God can decide otherwise for you. We need just to get that maturity and we shall have Uganda as a country where we shall all peacefully co – exist.
Kituuka’s Stakes in the Struggle for the High Office
When you see a trailer on the road, you may imagine that the driver must be very energetic to manage to drive the huge thing on the road. But, the truth is that the designers of the vehicle made it such that, it is normal driving, without the need to use that much energy. In my case, I see the role a head as normal because I have the conviction, and basic ability to do the job given the cooperation and advice as expected. What I can say, is that given audience by the people of Uganda when properly facilitated which is my biggest constraint, I can easily prove a David against the Goliath (a combination of forces that may be opposed to my stand and standing.
The Strategy of a Government of National Unity and Reconciliation
Many may wish to know my exact strategy when I talk about a Government of National Unity and Reconciliation. Apart from the removal of Presidential term limits, our Constitution has a lot in common with the one of the Americans. In my case therefore, to have the objective met, my run mate - the Vice President would be Ambassador Olara Otunu. The Position of Prime Minister was initially not in the Constitution and I am not aware that it is there legally. It tends to weaken the Vice President.
Why the Ambassador?
1) He did not soil his hands in the till for the 24 – 25 years NRM has been in power;
2) He is an Internationally respected diplomat who can help the country a lot in efforts to see to recovery; which efforts require a lot of good will and funding from potential donors;
3) He will stand to see the Northern Uganda recovery and reconstruction efforts real to benefit the victims of the wars there;
4) He stands for the good in the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) whose policies many Ugandans still wish for ( the cooperatives thrived, social infrastructure to mention a few);
5) He is a man who is in for reconciliation.
Ministerial Positions:
1. Ministry of Defense to Major Mugisha Muntu
2. Ministry of Internal Affairs to Dr. Kizza Besigye;
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Hon.Mau;
4. Ministry of Finance to Dr. Abed Bwaniika;
5. Ministry of Public Service to Hon. Bidandi Ssali;
6. Ministry of Land - Hon. Kyanjo
7. Minitry of Water ^ Environment – Hon. Mabiike
8. Ministry of Agriculture- The Conservative Party
I wish to have 1/3 of the cabinet positions to the women. Of these we would have 4 Full Ministers in Ministries which need to see gender balance real and the women rights observed. These are:
1) Health
2) Education
3) Gender, Labour & Social Development – Hon. Betty Nambooze
4) Local Government – Hon. Betty Kamya
A lot of constitutional amendments need to be made in the 5 years and one man who may do the work well is Hon. Erias Lukwago.
The Religious factor is featuring prominently in our politics today. The six major religions including the Traditionals; to nominate one representative to take up a cabinet position. Given the number of Baganda already featuring, may be a Muganda may not be nominated among the 6.
It is true, being a Government of National Unity; the Movement would also be represented on the cabinet.
I however sear that I have not discussed this strategy with anybody mentioned. It my opinion of the way forward given where we are now with the opposition badly divided and chances of getting the Government out of power almost not there.
I swear that if the Opposition parties agree at this critical time to front me as a sole Presidential candidate, this will be a win situation for all in official opposition. The 5 years would then be used to amend the bad laws; reorganize the parties and have them strengthened in a free and fair atmosphere so that come 2016, all factors remaining constant; they will be better prepared for the challenges.
Meanwhile, party leaders and their members’ representatives agree to my proposal, and then what would remain for them is to further mobilize support so that it finally becomes a walk over. Their positions are a sure deal in cabinet is success is realized.
As for the Hon. MPs mentioned who are not party Presidents, it will be optional for them either to compete for Members ship in Parliament or not for also their positions are as indicated above.
WHEN SHALL I LAUNCH MY CANDIDACY?
I am offering my ideas to the people of Uganda as an Independent candidate who has a wish to work with all the elected people’s representative who believe that we need a common destiny for Uganda which is peace and prosperity as well as unity in diversity. We should out grow that fear that once such a Government is out of power, then for us as a group or tribe we shall be in danger. This peaceful co - existence and brotherhood is what I am advocating for and would wish to nurture given opportunity. I can therefore only launch my candidacy if I get the endorsement by a group of Ugandans who should be willing to help with financial resources to see to implementation hence the launch.
The strategies that will help my campaign given support are reflected in my proposals that aim at delivering to the people of Uganda given opportunity as is in a satisfactory customer service. These among others are:
1) Knowing that it costs six times more to attract a new customer than it does to keep an old one;
2) A typical dissatisfied customer will tell between 8 – 10 people about his/her problem;
3) Seven out of ten customers will do business with you again …. If you resolve the complaint in their favour;
4) If you resolve the complaint on spot, 95% will do business with you again;
5) Of the customers who quit, 68% do so because of an attitude of indifference by the company or a specific individual;
6) As far as I am concerned, the voters of Uganda and those who reside in Uganda are my customers; they are the boss, I promise quality work, and value for their votes – just trust me and we get moving; Victory is our goal come the 2011 General Elections.
7) I promise to religiously solve the ills of the peoples of Uganda , and Ugandans getting to know about it (publicity of my plans/intentions for their well being, should equal to success come the 2011 General elections. For I have all along been an active advocate of the welfare of Ugandans, my works/writings are testimony to the effect, no bribe can get me off the belief and conviction that good living conditions can be enjoyed by all of us if only our leaders can have that vision for the country. And, trust me; I have it as reflected in my plegdes below. I look forward to success.
ERABORATING ON THE INNOVATIONS I AM FRONTING FOR THE POSITION OF PRESIDENTOF UGANDA
1. A VIRTUAL CLEARING HOUSE
I. There are many Ugandans who live in social exclusion. They have little or no access to social and economic protection and basic social services. Herein lies the problem: with limited access to secure income, basic education, health care, clean water and food security, they are caught in a continuing cycle of poverty and vulnerability. This leads to their exclusion from the mainstream of both social and economic activity. It is this sad development that is the drive to have the innovation of the Virtual Clearing House.
II. The biggest investment challenge by the Government I have in picture is managing the innovation of a Virtual Clearing House. This will be an arrangement where all people previously unemployed will fit when work is thought for them. The 1st beneficiaries here should be those who hold qualifications in Business Administration and Management; those trained in information technology and those with accounting/auditing /banking and financial management skills. These will form the basic staff in the Virtual Clearing House.
III. This arrangement is to have branches from the village level to the National Clearing House. This arrangement is to be installed with the equivalent of cards where each beneficiary will have information concerning him/her as is with bank ATM cards.
IV. The arrangement is to open up equivalent of Grocery shops in each village where the beneficiaries with the Virtual Clearing House will do most of the shopping for the basics of life.
V. The Virtual Clearing House will operate like credit cards do. Someone will offer a service, for which credit will go to his or her card, and this person will be able to get goods and services basic with the use of this card.
VI. Because Government will be employing people who other wise would not be in employment, special rates will be implemented and upgraded as the economy is boosted by the activities taking place nation wide.
Projected Source of Funding for the Virtual Clearing House:
1) Sale proceeds of the Presidential Jet – at least some shs 65bn can be expected from this source;
2) Sale of Government Securities 9to fund raise from the general public);
3) Seeking Local and International partners in the undertaking:
i. Companies which may extend to us capacity for agro – processing industrialization so that we pay after;
ii. Look for countries which may be ready to donate to us things like drugs and medical equipment;
iii. Get individuals locally in Uganda who have the capacity to extend to us some facilities so that we pay afterwards say after 6 months;
4) Borrow from IDA of the World Bank (though this could take a bit of time to sanction;
5) Seek consent of the members of Uganda Social Security Fund to see whether they can allow the Government to borrow a small percentage of their savings;
6) Appeal to generous Ugandans to donate to the cause;
7) Look at the possibility of selling of some Government Stores to realize some funds;
8) Seek a hand by local commercial banks as well as insurance companies;
9) Negotiate with donors to re 0- schedule some of the loan repayments so that the saving realized is injected into the Virtual Clearing House.
2. EMPLOYMENT OF ALL PEOPLE OF UGANDA (SKILLED & UNSKILLED)
I. All people with qualifications should get employment, while the unskilled should be communally mobilized for gainful communal tasks for which they should get payment. This arrangement is to be organized under the Virtual Clearing House.
II. When this is implemented for instance, it will not be necessary to have a carer for a patient admitted to a government health unit.
III. Those who can train in literacy will be recruited to see that all people who don’t know how to read or right are taught.
IV. Government shall get into understanding with people who have land and are not able as of now to utilize it. This under the community scheme in the Virtual Clearing House arrangement will have members of the community cultivate these areas in line with the guidance of agricultural personnel with a dual objective of increasing agricultural production mostly for processing and eventual export as well as increase food availability to cater for the balanced diet needs of the people.
V. Those with equipment that can be hired including vehicles shall also be employed in the communal scheme under the Virtual Clearing House arrangement so that they provide services as shall be needed; for instance, if members of the community are to construct school blocks under education for all, the locally available vehicles shall be utilized for the services.
3. FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR ALL
I. The Budget Speech for Financial Year 2008/09, under Health, I quote: “The Health system in Uganda has continued to suffer from poor service delivery and inefficiency. The Health Centres continue to have drug stock – outs and attendance by many health workers at their duty stations is irregular. The inefficiency, corruption, poor service delivery and stock –outs in Health Centers must be dealt with decisively.”
II. The Budget Speech read on 12 June 2003, regarding Health: “Mr, Speaker Sir, despite substantial Government investment in the promotion of primary health care, the health outcome indicators of infant and maternal mortality have remained low. Reproductive health remains a key priority for the health sector …” “To further improve health outcomes, I have allocated to primary health care next year by shs 9bn, to shs 105bn.” It remains questionable whether value for money is realized for the amount involved is not small, but service delivery still appalling.
III. Most women in Uganda say that they face serious problems in accessing health care for themselves when they are sick. Overall, 86% of women say they encounter at least one serious problem in gaining access. The most common problems mentioned are getting money for treatment (65%), living too far from a health facility (55%), and obtaining transportation (49%). 17% of women express concern that no female health provider is available, while 8% say they face problems getting permission for treatment.
IV. Almost two – thirds of pregnant women in Uganda(64%) are Anaemic. Anaemia can be an underlying cause of maternal deaths and illness and may contribute to premature births and low birth weight. Among the important measures to reduce Aneamia among women are iron and folic acid supplementation, preventive treatment of Malaria, and use of insecticide - treated mosquito nets during pregnancy.
V. Uganda demographic and health Survey (UDHS)data shows that most Ugandan women are giving birth under unsafe conditions:
a) Only 42% of births in Uganda are assisted by a skilled provider. One possible explanation for this low percentage is that many more births occur at home (58%) than in a health facility (41%);
b) 63% of women in rural areas gave birth at home, compared to only 20% of women in urban areas;
c) 10% of all births were completely unassisted!
d) Women with secondary education or more education are three times more likely to give birth in a health facility than women with no education;
e) Delivery in a health facility varies by region; only 30% of women in Western Uganda and Northern Uganda gave birth in a health facility compared to 90% of women in Kampala .
VI. Men are more likely than women to engage in risky sexual behaviour, such that as sex with someone who is not a spouse or sex with multiple partners. Because many married men have multiple partners and engage in higher – risk sex, married women often may not be able to avoid the risk of exposure to HIV and other STIs. In the 2006 UDHS, 80% of women and 87% of men say that if a husband has a sexually transmitted infection; his wife is justified in refusing to have sex with him. Nevertheless, many married women say that in fact they cannot refuse sex with their husbands and many say that they cannot ask their husbands to use a condom.
VII. Uganda wastes a lot of resources which would go into free treatment of her people. By 1974, it was possible to go for example to Grade B Entebbe Hospital without someone to care for you and without a coin and leave having got satisfactory service and cured without getting a coin from your pocket. This service shall be rejuvenated. You can only have a productive population when the people are healthy. This however will be in Government establishments.
VIII. “In Moving Out of Poverty by Participatory poverty Assessment Process a Community Synthesis Report of Bamba Village, Bukimbiri Sub – County, Kisoro District. A respondent talked about Persistent sickness: “Ill heath featured prominently as responsible for individuals remaining trapped into poverty. Those who were persistently sick or households that had a patient for a long time spent a lot of their time and resources treating the patient. They reportedly sold their animals and land to meet the medical costs and as a result remained trapped in poverty.”
IX. There are cases of resignation: “Some individuals or households that got stuck in poverty were argued to have a psychological belief that their conditions were attributed to fate. In such circumstances, they never made any efforts to improve their well being and therefore their status never improved. When they decline (get to lower economic status) they become frustrated, stop working and believe that they are what they are because of God’s will!” In such circumstances, advocating for free medical will get people’s hope and energy back, hence productive thereafter.
X. Capacity to be catered for through the Virtual Clearing House where people from the community near to the establishment shall offer their labour including brick making, fetching water, labour to build to have enough capacity for the projected users of the facility.
HIV/AIDS
XI. My idea is to have a more comprehensive strategy which can help the country in dealing with the monster: “That Uganda which constitutes 0.4% of the world’s population accounts for 2.4% of the World’s HIV/AIDS cases, six times its proportionate share, said the Uganda Human Development Report (UHDR) 2002 published by UNDP.
XII. Many times professionals complain about what a government is to do for the better health of their sectors. It can be unfortunate that even when tools for their work are acquired, some pay lip service to them and or just waste away opportunities. For the People in Uganda who are living with HIV/AIDS, it will be difficult to forgive those players who led to the termination of the Global Fund, hereafter referred to as ‘the Global Fund Saga.’ In August 2005, the global Fund suspended all five of its grants to Uganda citing management issues. The Global fund was created in 2002 to facilitate the global efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis. It was aimed at raising funds and pooling money from Governments, businesses, and individuals around the world, and channeling it to the grant. Uganda ’s target was to have 60,000 people on treatment by the end of 2004. According to UNAIDS, this target was missed, and between 40,000 and 50,000 people were receiving drugs. By the end of 2005 the number had risen to between 71,000 and 79,000 representing half those in need. On August 24th 2004, the global Fund decided to suspend grants to Ugandafollowing an independent audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers which revealed evidence of serious mismanagement. Around US $ 280,000 was fraudulently siphoned off when the American dollar grants were converted into Uganda shillings using false exchange rates. The portfolio of grants to Uganda was worth US$ 367million, by the time of suspension, only $4million had been released equivalent to 1.089%!
XIII. The government in perspective to come up with tangible solutions to complacency and the ‘normalization’ of AIDS, which are believed to be responsible for the increase in the risky behaviour that early HIV prevention campaigns sought to reverse. It is said that, “people now think that because HIV has been around for so many years, it is a normal condition among the population.” It will be necessary to set up an HIV/AIDS fund as is currently with the road fund. This to help generate own capacity to develop own capacity in form of national savings out of which funds to buy HIV drugs will be got. And, for other medical cases, specialized units for the purpose and coordinated efforts with organization in HIV/AIDS will help in scaling down the infections. It is absolutely important to note that increasing poverty levels in the countryside have positively contributed to increased spread of HIV. With the proposed policy to employ all able bodied persons, new infections induced by absolute poverty will be greatly reduced.
XIV. There will be scaling up of the home visits when people not in the capacity of volunteers but those employed for the purpose get to the field and do it as routine gainful employment.
XV. Trained personnel in own practice will be taken on board and experts working outside the country will be encouraged to come back with good incentives.
XVI. A formula to be thought in handling complex cases where cost sharing may be necessary.
4. QUALITATIVE; PRACTICAL EDUCATION FOR ALL
I. In order for people to understand and appreciate their opportunities and responsibilities as democratic citizens, they must receive a sound education. Such an education seeks not only to familiarize people with the precepts and principles of democracy, but also to produce citizens who are principled, independent, inquisitive, and analytic in their outlook.
II. Efforts to be made to ensure that all who don’t know how to read and write are taught. This may be at existing Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools or other area deemed convenient. This is an initiative where all the illiterates will be mobilized to ensure that they get functional literacy as a pre requisite for development.
III. Through the community initiative, the people will get involved in building school blocks and as such, shortly there will be no problems of having many children/students but little capacity. These will still have to be cleared for their services by the Virtual Clearing House.
IV. It will be a strategy to see that teacher incentives are put back to the levels before the income was watered down by inflation. Refresher courses to be enhanced and regular.
V. All Government primary schools shall ensure that they teach practical gardening and capacity shall be enhanced for vocationalisation.
VI. Quality teaching shall be enhanced and regular inspection effected.
5. UNIFORM FEDERAL GOVERNANCE IN UGANDA
I. It is not news that at least 60% of interviewed Ugandans wish for a federal system of governance. Time is ripe to see regional governments take shape in Uganda and use this as an avenue to see that poles of growth are seen throughout the country instead of a few places like ear Kampala and that people of which ever area of the country benefit through retaining a potion of the government revenue generated in their areas.
II. There is need to lessen pressure on people eying joining the National Parliament, and this is possible when the regional parliaments take off under the federal arrangement which is the wish of many people as of now.
III. Come up with Parliamentary Legislation of a uniform federal arrangement for Uganda federal regions.
6. ENSURING A LIVING WAGE
I. Corruption has been given a chance because many earn pea nuts given the cost of living, and it is one reason why many skilled and unskilled people have looked for greener pastures elsewhere.
II. A living wage is possible using a strategy to see reduced taxation (that is VAT and on fuel) among other things, and the free medical services.
III. When agro – processing takes off, this is one area where it is hoped that the country will base its increased export base hence income to boost the welfare of the people.
IV. Reducing on wastage and duplication can be a big saving to the country as well as increasing production to work at full capa
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