In his 2020 independence speech, President Museveni boasted of the “unprecedented growth of the manufacturing sector. He reported that at least 168 manufacturing industries and factories had been established in financial year that ended June 2020. The economic “miracle” is perhaps one thing that the NRM government has been so proud of. However, a closer look at this economic growth reveals that the heralded growth is but a mirage. In this article, I will explain why and how the “NRM development” is not working for most Ugandans. The policies pursued by the current government are designed to create the rich and the poor, perhaps because it is easier to rule and manipulate the latter. To start with, I would like to state that Africans did not fight against colonialism because their countries were not growing or developing. Similarly, the struggle of the black people in South Africa was not because South Africa was not developing but rather the development was “pro white people”. In Uganda, the colonialists established schools, introduced cash crops, built some organized settlements like Kololo, Bugolobi among others. However, this development was working only for the white men. The affluent areas were for the exclusive enjoyment of the white people. Indigenous Ugandans were forbidden from having shops in the middle of Kampala. This was a preserve of the white people and the Asians. Indigenous Ugandans were relegated to slums to work as farm boys and housemaids of the whites and the Asians. The struggle for independence was thus not just struggle against white domination but it was a struggle against the systematic injustice against the black and the skewed development. In absolute terms, there is evidence that Uganda’s economy has grown. The country’s GDP stands at 37.37 billion USD. Looking at our neighbors like Kenya that has a GDP of 100 billion shillings, one could argue that we could have performed better if we invested in the right sectors and checked the leakages. However this is a discussion for another day. It is important to note that economic development is or must be a means to an end rather then being an end in itself. Development should relate to quality-of-life issues, such as security, health, education, social stability, equality, empowerment, dignity among others. When this approach is taken to analyse the performance of the NRM government, one realizes that the much-heralded economic miracle is just hot air. It’s a bubble and below I explain why.
The economy is working, but for a few people Despite making up less than 1% of the population, Indians are estimated to contribute up to 65% of Uganda's tax revenues. Foreigners in Uganda enjoy tax holidays, they are allowed to repatriate profits (see: Minister assure Indians on 100% profit repatriation). It is therefore not surprising that our biggest export these days is young girls going to work under very difficult, slave-like conditions in the Middle East. Is it surprising that we don’t have Ugandan companies investing in other countries? Imagine Kenya alone has 4 banks operating in Uganda! Uganda has systematically created an exclusive club of investors. A few years ago, government authorized one company to grow and sale in demand marijuana for medical purposes. Even when the market for marijuana is enormous and hundreds of Ugandan farmers could benefit as out growers, government prefers to have only one company benefit from this! Do you now get surprised that government has brought laws to regulate the growing and selling of coffee? Is it surprising that the government has failed to revive farmers cooperatives. Stronger cooperatives would be able to provide inputs to their members and be able to import their products thereby cutting off the connected and powerful middlemen. Uganda currently runs a very unequal education and health system; those with money can afford the best services within and outside the country. The poor on the other hand, are at the mercy of ill paid teachers, ill equipped schools, under paid and demotivated health workers, ill equipped hospitals, etc. The education system makes it almost impossible for poor children to make it life. The poor children who come through the system must be geniuses. Based on the above, one can only come to one logical conclusion; whereas we have experienced growth, Ugandans are not in charge or responsible for this growth. The benefits for this growth doesn’t accrue to Ugandans. Poor Ugandans can’t afford the schools of the rich. Their hospitals are separate. Their markets are separate. Is this different from apartheid South Africa?
The increase in the crime rates and high unemployment must sound a wake-up call for our leaders. The rich will not be safe with an increasing number of poor, unemployed and dissatisfied population. It is time to reconsider our development policies. The government must make it possible to Ugandans to access credit, revive farmers cooperatives, ensure access to inputs, and ensure that all schools and hospitals meet certain minimum standards. This is surely not rocket science. Just like our forefathers fought against the oppressive colonial regime, it is a matter of time before Ugandans unit to fight this injustice. Ugandans are longing for a government for by the people and by the people. The Alliance For National Transformation is committed to correcting these injustices. We invite Ugandans to come and board. It is not yet “uhuru”. For God and My Country. People First, a New Future.