It is good practice that a new year comes with reflection and a progressive plan going forward.

My experience of serving as the president of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI) has made me learn that countries that have surpassed us are not necessarily more resource-endowed but only better than us in upholding the principle of constructive energy. 

As Ugandans, it seems we spend a lot of negative than constructive energy; an attitude that we inevitably must change if we are to build institutions beyond individuals who come and go.

Last year, UNCCI witnessed all sorts of comments; constructive and deconstructive. A competitive campaign is no less what the chamber deserves, given its importance in the economy, but it need not degenerate into name-calling and mudslinging. We are very keen to see the process carried out to its logical conclusion in an atmosphere of cordiality and mutual respect.

In the meantime, UNCCI may not have achieved it all or appeased everyone, but work must continue. Over the years, the chamber has built a reputation regionally and internationally as the first port of call for people wanting to do business in Uganda. The contacts UNCCI has made over the years have helped our businessmen and ladies link up with international partners, attracting much-needed investment into the country.

Locally, we continue to be the principal voice of the business community, helping shape policy, arbitrating disputes and providing counsel and assistance to our membership.

Thankfully, the bad press our electoral process kicked off, causing some concern among our stakeholders, has merely scratched UNCCI’s otherwise stellar reputation.

However, given the current hard times of rising inflation, a falling shilling, a general liquidity squeeze, increasing joblessness, high cost of doing business, and unfair competition, this is not the time for chest-thumping or back-patting.

As we await the resolution of the impasse on our electoral process, we at UNCCI are refocusing our attention to better serve the membership. In our minds, we are clear that when we go about chasing our personal ambitions, at the end of the day, UNCCI’s viability is the ultimate goal.

The point is, despite the upheavals of the last few months, UNCCI remains open for business and in the famous words of former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki “Kazi iendelee” (Let the work continue).

Olive Kigongo,
President, UNCCI.

What Shs 6 billion could have done for youths

Following the recent trending story of the presidential handshake of Shs 6 billion shared by highly-paid top government officials, one wonders whether Uganda has not started testing the effects of the oil curse.

The temptation of oil proceeds has not waited for us to start production. This is a very worrying sign on how government will use the oil revenues obtained when production starts.

With over 83 per cent of Uganda’s youth engulfed in unemployment, the Shs 6 billion from the oil case would have benefited a larger struggling population of this country than being shared by few top government officials who earn tens of millions in salaries and allowances.

With youths turning to agriculture for survival, climate change effects have also followed us, registering disappointing agricultural returns due to prolonged long dry spells.

Therefore, it would be wise if government used this money to procure simple irrigation systems and provide them to the youths, whether freely or on a cheap-loan basis.

If the youths fail in agriculture, the country is likely to face a huge food security crisis because they are the majority and more energetic population of this nation.

Government needs to apologise for such reckless actions, especially during a time where the country urgently needs oil revenues for economic development and creation of employment opportunities as stated in the Public Finance Management Act, 2015, and not for consumption.

Asadhu Ssebyoto,
Kampala.

Vote LC leaders on merit

As Ugandans prepare for LC elections, I pray that these elections are free of political parties to let leaders be elected on merit.

A candidate should be elected due to their good leadership qualities and reputation in the village, but not on the basis of the political party he/she belongs to.

Since these LC chairpersons are the judges in the villages, they shouldn’t be publically identified with political parties, for this may compromise their objectivity.

The proposal for voters to just line up at the back of the candidate of their interest shall bring prejudice and people will elect in fear. This kind of election may turn to be the worst of all because people might mark who elected who, leading to violence.

Fr Joseph Kasangaki,
0703967045.

MPs mistaken on army deployments

The new changes in the UPDF leadership ignited divergent opinions and comments from members of parliament and the general public.

Media clips that surfaced expressed frustration with the process as being ulterior yet army appointments are neither sanctioned by parliament nor public vote in the first place.

Twice before this, MPs expressed similar hostile views during UPDF deployments in Somalia in 2007 and South Sudan in 2013. In these classified matters, the subsequent leaders of the opposition blamed government for not consulting them!

Now it is public knowledge that covert deployment took the Somali militants and pirates by surprise and minimized the army casualties instead of leaking information about a foreign intervention and alerting them to bolster their positions. Pacifying Somalia has lessened smuggling of illegal firearms across the region and the influx of refugees into our country.

The same can be said of South Sudan. In certain fields, it is prudent to hold one’s peace and allow those conversant/responsible to do their work.

Charles Okecha,
St. Paul’s College, Mbale.

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