NRM GOV’T AT 37: LET’S CELEBRATE THE ‘PEARL OF AFRICA’ by Moses Watasa
There is, arguably, no other country like Uganda, in terms of natural endowments. Fresh water bodies, lush natural forests, scenic mountains, expansive woodlands, we’ve got them all – and much more. Our ecosystems are so packed with animal and bird life, we also have some of the rarest species, found only in Uganda.
Mesmerised by our flora and fauna, 19th Century Colonial Strongman, Sir Winston Churchill christened Uganda, “the Pearl of Africa”. Today, international media like CNN International and Lonely Planet, have Uganda as a nature/ tourism marvel, in their global rankings.
Located, astride the Equator, Uganda is also blessed with fine weather, with temperatures averaging 24-30 degrees, all-year-long, arable soils and two rain seasons in the most parts of the country. Beneath Uganda’s soils, also is a rich ‘menu’ of minerals and oil reserves.
We couldn’t have asked for more from the Almighty! We ought to appreciate His generosity by harnessing these vast resources, for the betterment of our lot. It is the import of the Good Book, in Genesis 1:28; where-by God bestows upon man, dominion over the earth, and its resources.
Our Government (GoU) priorities, indeed, include harnessing Uganda’s resources for our people now and for posterity. We have growing power generation capacity, high on our agenda under the National Vision 2040 and NDP III. This involves harnessing our water resources, through investing in hydro-power dams.
The cumulative effect, to-date, is the growth of our capacity to over 2,000MW, up from 60 MW, in 1986. Thus, we are able to power adding value to our other natural resources and primary produce, through manufacturing. And, currently, we have 5,000+ factories, in Uganda, with capacity to power more.
GoU is also investing in other infrastructure like roads, railways, airports and ICT fibre, with a strategic focus. For instance, while paving roads is a national effort, those in the Albertine Graben were expedited, to support developing of Uganda’s oil resources. This, alongside GoU’s backing for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, with many business possibilities for Ugandans in local content.
Elsewhere, GoU maintains a dynamic macro-economic policy to ensure stability and predictability of core fundamentals, like exchange rates, interest rates, inflation etc. As such, entities and individuals have the ‘legroom’ harness the available resources into viable enterprises.
Further, GoU continues to grow regional markets, and to promote Uganda as a viable tourism and investment destination. Just last week, President Museveni was in Dubai, UAE, where he made a strong submission for our country.
The one enabler by the NRM government, which anchors the others, is securing the entire country, and setting up structures and systems for the rule of law. In building core infrastructure and guaranteeing security for persons and property with sound arbitration mechanisms, GoU has in place most of the pre-requisites for rapid GDP growth.
The onus then, is on us, wananchi to harness vast ample resources to improve our livelihoods. Moreover, beyond the policies and infrastructure, GoU is scaling-up direct funding for livelihoods enhancement at the community/household level. Currently, Ugandans can access funding for income-generating projects, country-wide, under the Parish Development Model (PDM).
Through the community mobilisation and mindset program, GoU is intensifying sensitisation to have more Ugandans reap from the PDM and other similar initiatives. We also seek to roll back the negative aspects holding back sections of Ugandans, like gambling, binge drinking, land fragmentation and unfounded cynicism, among others.
We should celebrate our gem of a country. And, 37 years later, the NRM government has firmed the foundations for wananchi to leverage, and harness the abundant riches in the ‘Pearl of Africa’.
Moses Watasa,
Commissioner, Communication & Dissemination
MINISTRY OF ICT & NATIONAL GUIDANCE
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