Uganda's experts working at cross-purposes

July 19, 2007 (Published by the Observer)

Musa Nuwagaba

Uganda like most third world countries is facing a dilemma on its development path. According to the World Bank (World Development Indicators database, May 1, 2007) Uganda is ranked 194th out of 208 countries worldwide with GNI per capita of $280 (one of the lowest incomes in the world), the population is steadily increasing at 3.37% and the latest UNFPA report indicates that the population stands at 30.9 millions.
This ugly situation is aggravated by the socio-economic and political stagnation that has come to symbolise Uganda’s and indeed Africa’s progress.
Uganda has been running annual budgets with clear priorities apparently packaged by government technocrats with expert advice from relevant consultants. Taxes have been collected and necessary donor support has been accorded.
Purportedly, Uganda is a democracy (a view of government loyalists) and ‘a beacon of hope’ (Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State) ruled by one of the pioneers in ‘The new breed of African leaders’ (Bill Clinton, former US President).
From the supposedly good government planning (on paper), perennial technical budgeting and ‘kind’ donor support the undisputable outcome has been persistent default: The betrayal of Ugandans on their aspirations and immeasurable public trust which they have gladly rendered to the supposedly all knowledgeable and honourable government.
The performance indicators show the persistent and increasing foreign indebtedness, persistent increase in fuel prices, persistent power crisis, chronic corruption, aggravated public administration expenditure, collapsing road network, flawed tender awards, siege of the high court and honourable MPs behaving dishonourably.
Things must change if meaningful development is to be realised. The so far administered measures which include among others; foreign aid, blind privatisation, unguided foreign direct investment and blind quest for industrialisation are hoax measures that are not about to provide answers to the so many unanswered questions.
For long the so called development partners have turned to be our tormenters; they have perfectly acted as a life support machine or umbilical cord that has sustained the insatiable arms of corruption. The result is the economic insecurity trap, with unending thirst for foreign aid which has increased Uganda’s foreign indebtedness thus spinning the poverty cycle to chronic proportions.
There is a chance for Uganda to prosper. However, none will develop our country for us. It is a choice for Ugandans living today to decide and set a positive precedent. What do you think is the way forward for Uganda?
Whatever the options, Ugandans need to realise that; self created problems are self solved. The way out of the current unfortunate disposition is to set our priorities right and confront the challenges with all possible might.
Responsible leadership is a very important aspect in the whole equation: There ought to be a deliberate effort aimed at holding leaders accountable.
The government has a crucial role to play in guiding sustainable development given the young level of institutional development. Privatising a monopoly for example, does not create competitiveness. That is why the power crisis is not about to end even if the generation capacity increases. It was a miscalculation for the government to privatise Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) at the time when there were no other players in the power sector. The government must also ensure to set performance requirements of the private companies seeking to invest in the various sectors.
There is need for a united voice to fight against protectionism especially in the world’s richest countries; however, a united voice requires mutual respect and trust. The idea of East African Community is therefore an excellent opportunity that should not be mismanaged in the name of fast tracking.
We should identify the existing gaps in the fields of science and technology and a strategy to facilitate the acquisition of the relevant skills. Take the discovery of oil as an example; how many Ugandans have the required skills to manage the petroleum exploration industry? There is no doubt that science and technology have acted as the engine of development in the modern world.
Therefore the University of Science and Technology in Mbarara and the faculties of science and technology at Makerere and other universities should be deliberately supported to reflect and catch up with their names.
Uganda is better off overhauling the existing school curriculum and deliberately establishing more technical schools for skills based training. Education in general is important but the type and quality of education matters so much.
It is wrong for Uganda to be having over eighteen universities (and licensing more) training more than 80% of their total student population as white collar job seekers. I wonder why subjects like Home Economics and Accounts are not taught in most secondary schools in the country.
These should be compulsory subjects such that even when one drops out of school he/she can begin and manage a small business or a home for those who choose to begin families.
Equally important is dissemination of information regarding national development strategies and policies; Ugandans should constantly be mobilised and reminded of their responsibilities.
They should as well be updated on the various options at their disposal that can be profitably exploited for economic and social gain. Whereas banning of polythene bags was a good thing in the prevailing circumstances, it should be noted that the problem lies more with the users than the manufactures.
It is unfortunate that the careless behaviour of the polythene bag users is going to cost other Ugandans their source of livelihood in terms of lost jobs and business.
There is need for a clear-cut policy aimed at appropriate technology development. The ministry of trade and industry ought to wake up to the reality of long neglected technical skills in the slums of Katwe, Ndeeba, Bwaise and the like. Tapping the existing technological skills and facilitating development of these skills is a responsibility that should not be relegated.
Lastly, the clock is ticking and unanswered questions are increasing by the day; what is the National Planning Authority (NDA) doing? Is the current expenditure on public administration a sustainable project? Is parliament an institution worth its status?
Is the Electoral Commission meeting its performance objectives? Will the IGG get the right combination of cells responsible for the corruption cancer? Is it a wise idea defrauding to finance a wedding?

The author is an electoral expert resident in East Timor

nuwamusa@yahoo.co.uk