The
NRM government launched an economic policy in the early 1990s following
agreements with major donors that focused on economic growth and export
diversification.
into non-traditional exports of foodstuffs previously grown for domestic
consumption such as beans. Peasants were encouraged to grow for cash, not for
the stomach. It soon became apparent that the policy was damaging ecological conditions
at an alarming rate as more land was cleared, trees felled and fish caught for
the export market and malnutrition was spreading and deepening.
I
wrote a book titled “The Paradox of Hunger and Abundance” which was published
in 1999 – and available at www.amazon.com. Chapters 2, 3 and 5, cover non-traditional
exports, food security and the environment: lessons learned for
hunger in a fertile land: the case of
people of
Members of Parliament, Movement and government officials. Copies were also
available at
these issues with
and environmental misery and urged for its revision to ensure domestic food
security and environmental sustainability – the two key pillars in nation
building.
Some
nodded in agreement without saying much, others responded that the two issues
were not in their portfolios and could not say much, yet others felt that I did
not have convincing scientific evidence to back up my statements. The more
vocal group argued that I was an alarmist bent on undermining government
efforts which had received overwhelming donor support for rapid economic
growth, inflation control and poverty reduction.
While
attending a conference in
met informally with some members of the
environment and food security came up. I stated that food insecurity, environmental
degradation and drought were caused in large part by inappropriate policies
that our governments had been implementing since the introduction of Amin’s ‘economic
war’ calling on using every piece of land to boost economic growth, a policy
that was intensified under the NRM government in pursuit of export
diversification. I added that it was no
longer appropriate to refer to Uganda as a fertile country with plenty of rain,
and a mild climate that permit Uganda to adequately feed the nation with surplus
for export.
One
delegate was visibly upset and responded that the temporary food shortages in
some parts of the country was caused by drought which is an ‘act of God’ beyond
government’s control. With reference to fish shortages in
act of God which only government can reverse by ensuring that there is enough
fish at affordable prices before exports can take place sustainably.
At
a Convention of Ugandans living in
took place in
York City
2006, I presented a paper titled ‘The Political Economy of Food and Nutrition
Security in
diversification had caused human and environmental misery, recommending that economic
growth and export growth under conditions of free enterprise and market forces needed
to be reined in to improve food security and protect the environment. I advised
a policy of public and private partnership so that state intervention addresses
the imperfections of free enterprise under market forces. There was mixed
reaction including by Ministers. Some concurred while others opposed because I
was alarmist and trying to reintroducing socialism through the back door.
Notwithstanding,
very little, if at all, was done to address the damage. And the result – an admission
that
and the population under-fed – all in the name of export diversification to
earn foreign currency.
There
is no more time for debate but action.