Press statement
Death of women: By and large, 2012 is a year many Ugandans would wish to erase from their memories. It ended on a very sad note with a 24 year old Member of Parliament losing her life in mysterious circumstances and a pregnant woman dying in child birth at Mulago Hospital because she didn’t bribe the medical staff. The international community was shocked at these tragedies that have dented NRM government image nationally, regionally and internationally.
UDU has begun using its networks to make sure that these departed two women did not die in vain. We call on others at home and abroad to protest so that these shameful deaths are not repeated. We call particularly on women and parliamentarians around the world to take action and ensure justice is served. Those responsible must be held accountable. In Uganda none is above the law.
Hard economic times: Ugandans except a few rich households experienced economic hard times that translated into a further deterioration in human condition that for the first time in recorded history Uganda is now behind Kenya and Tanzania. That Uganda is in bad shape was revealed in the president’s New Year message in which he recorded that boda boda (motor cycle transport), hair salons, video houses etc as areas in which Uganda made economic progress, not in agriculture and manufacturing sectors that the president promised to promote vigorously. At one time Museveni vowed to industrialize Uganda within 15 years, declaring that none would stop him. Sadly what Uganda is experiencing is de-industrialization. Museveni also promised to turn Uganda subsistence farmers into commercial producers. Now the government is planning to sell peasant land to large scale mostly foreign farmers.
End of SAP hasn’t improved welfare: Ugandans had hoped that abandoning the painful structural adjustment program (SAP) in 2009 was going to be replaced by a more pragmatic alternative that would create jobs, improve social sectors, regenerate the environment, fight corruption and sectarianism and return land and other properties to their rightful owners.
To our surprise the prime minister reported that the Five Year Development Plan (NDP) that replaced structural adjustment program (SAP) hadn’t been implemented. He further announced that peasant land would be transferred to large scale farmers. Since there aren’t many Ugandans rich enough to purchase all peasant land, it meant that Uganda land would be purchased and owned by foreign farmers that would use capital-intensive methods to produce for the international markets with a higher effective demand than domestic market. The prime minister did not specify what the government plans to do with the dispossessed Ugandans that constitute over 80 percent of the total population of some 35 million. Because large scale farming isn’t labor intensive, there won’t be jobs on large farms – everybody should understand this and stop preaching job creation associated with large scale farming.
UDU determined to bring peaceful change: We, Ugandans in UDU, an umbrella organization of political parties and organizations at home and abroad opposed to NRM policies and practices are determined to bring about change by peaceful means. Too much blood has been shed since the 1966 military attack on Mengo. And the memories of 1979, Luwero Triangle and northern and eastern wars are still fresh. Our investigations show that Uganda isn’t in a mood for another war except in self-defense which we should prepare for. UDU therefore supports peaceful change as plan A in the first instance and Plan B for self-defense and the two are not mutually exclusive organizationally. Those insisting on military action in the first instance should think about the likely human and material cost that could be avoided if Plan A came first. NRM is showing serious signs of imploding. We need to press hard and provide a viable alternative to attract NRM supporters. UDU has already provided that alternative. We appeal to those that haven’t joined to do so quickly. We have a credible National Recovery Plan and capable leadership that is being expanded. There is no need to re-invent the wheel.
Improvements in human rights record: UDU is an organization that gives credit where it is due. We wish to record that in 2012 there was some improvement in observance of political and civil rights by security forces. Demonstrators were not as harassed as in previous years. Campaigns for by-elections went relatively smoothly and the electoral commission exercised some independence and professionalism. We thank all those that participated in these activities particularly the police force and our development partners that spoke publicly against violation of human rights and suspended foreign aid in protest against corruption.
UDU determined to do more: UDU played a critical part in these welcome changes. We made diplomatic contacts, issued press and other statements in the media especially on Ugandans at Heart Forum and Kamunye Luganda news paper etc and called on development partners to tell Ugandans where some $30 billion in donations went.
In 2013, UDU is determined to see further reduction in abuse of individual and collective human rights and fundamental freedoms. We shall also press the government to improve the economic, social and cultural rights. The people of Uganda like anywhere else have a right to march and assemble; express opinions (orally and in writing) and elect their representatives in a peaceful and free atmosphere without harassment by security forces or bribed by candidates and their surrogates. The people of Uganda have a right to demand economic improvements in growth with equity, employment with a living wage and decent working conditions. The people of Uganda have a right to demand a return of their property including land as promised at the start of NRM regime in 1986.
The land board: We call on the land board to be transparent and serve the people, not a select few. Illegal land occupants must return it to their rightful owners. Municipalities should not dispossess land owners simply because their land has been incorporated into the municipality willingly or unwillingly. Land is so critical to the livelihood of the overwhelming majority of Ugandans and must be treated with greatest care. Land disputes some of them fatal are increasing fast and must be stopped. Foreign ownership of Uganda land must be stopped as well. This is a matter of national interest and household security.
Improvements in social sectors: UDU will demand improvements in social sectors. The department of education must improve quantity, quality and relevance. All Uganda children must study in classrooms and sit on desks with adequate textbooks and instructional materials. They must have good teachers that are well paid on time and have proper housing facilities and incentives to make them stay especially in remote areas. Schools inspectors must be appointed and facilitated to do their work efficiently and effectively. Uganda’s quality education and reputation at all levels must be re-established.
The ministry of health that has sadly lost grip on the sector must improve conditions in health facilities at all levels. Primary health care must receive the attention it urgently deserves. Control of diseases must be stepped up. It is shameful that diseases that had disappeared have re-appeared in the 21st century with a vengeance. Uganda must eradicate jiggers that have become a national scandal. Jiggers reflect poor housing and lack of shoes so it is a poverty problem. Sanitation, safe drinking water and general hygiene including decent clothing and housing must receive adequate and urgent attention. Maternal and child mortality must be addressed as a matter of urgency. Women losing their lives while giving birth to new lives must be stopped immediately.
UDU has demanded the minister of health to resign over the tragic death of a pregnant woman who died of neglect at Mulago hospital. Another had died in similar circumstances in eastern Uganda. We demanded that if the minister doesn’t resign voluntarily the president should force that resignation. We are still waiting.
Food and nutrition security has been neglected for too long. Over 30 percent of Ugandans go to bed on empty stomach every night. UDU recommends that Uganda should produce food to feed citizens first and sell surplus in regional markets and beyond. Undernourished women are producing underweight children who develop permanent physical and mental disabilities. When children are not fed properly during their first three years of life they develop smaller brain size than normal with serious implications in terms of learning and labor productivity. The value of people should be assessed more in quality than quantity. Insanity which has increased in Uganda is largely a function of poor eating and stress brought on by economic hardship. Uganda has enough food to feed everyone adequately including providing school lunch if there was sufficient political will especially on the part of the president who as a father and grandfather understands the value of adequate and nutritious diet. UDU will vigorously monitor developments in this area in 2013.
Good governance: UDU will demand improvements in good governance namely participation of Ugandans in decisions and programs that affect their lives. This will involve consultations and debate about whether or not Ugandans want a federal or unitary system of governance; transparency by public officials and their accountability to Ugandans. UDU will intensify efforts to expose corruption, sectarianism, cronyism and mismanagement of public funds including foreign donations. We shall demonstrate against corrupt officials when they travel abroad. We shall call on development partners to ensure that foreign aid is used on programs it was allocated to. We shall demand and scrutinize all recruitments and promotions in public service including in security forces to ensure they are based on merit, not on connections. Ugandans in the diaspora that are willing to serve their country should be given an opportunity to do so, notwithstanding the usefulness of remittances.
Uganda’s environment is in bad shape since Amin’s days when a decree was issued that every piece of land be used to increase agricultural production. This was followed by massive de-vegetation and wetland clearance and resulted in adverse changes in thermal and hydrological regimes with serious outcomes. In Kabale district, for instance, massive wetland clearance resulted in warmer climate that attracted mosquitoes that spread malaria to people without immunity with disastrous results.
The rainfall regime has changed in amount, duration and timing. For example, in Rukungiri district, perennial rivers have disappeared among them the mighty Kiborogota and spring wells have dried up necessitating walking long distance to fetch water; the amount, timing and rainfall duration have changed and the area that had two growing seasons is now unable to feed itself. The weather has changed so much that the region is getting too much rain during harvesting time thereby destroying the crop and too little rain during the planting season constraining germination and early growth. Thus droughts and floods have damaged agriculture.
Uganda turning into desert: Uganda has received expert advice that if steps aren’t taken immediately, Uganda will turn into a desert within 100 years which is a very short time by historical standards. The change of a minister in response is necessary but not a sufficient condition. We call on the new minister of the environment to work with others since environment is a cross-cutting field to ensure that environmental sanity is restored in Uganda without further delay. Environmental restoration is easy if there is political will – restore wetlands, reforest degraded landscapes and improve agricultural productivity instead of extensive agriculture that results in massive de-vegetation. Nomadic herding and introduction of goats on a commercial basis are unfriendly to the environment. Uganda needs to go intensive in its crop cultivation and herding practices. These things are easy to do but NRM lacks political will.
East African community, UDU suggests that we negotiate strategically to get net benefits in trade and other areas. That means appointing good and experienced negotiators to avoid outcomes similar to barter trade experience: appointments based on loyalty will hurt Uganda interests. East African community should strengthen national capacity to provide adequate goods and services. Uganda should not include land in East African negotiations (EU excluded CAP [Common Agricultural Policy] from Lome Convention I negotiations concluded in 1975). Population and animal mobility should not disadvantage Ugandans. Uganda sovereignty and border inviolability must be protected. There is no room for borderless East Africa as Museveni has suggested. Not least, economic integration should be promoted ahead of political federation. Doing otherwise is like building a house starting with a roof.
Diplomatic missions: NRM policy we are told is commercial diplomacy. It goes without saying that our diplomats should be people with experience in commercial and trade negotiations. Many career diplomats have this kind of experience but rarely are promoted to head missions including particularly the ones in Geneva and Brussels were commercial and trade discussions take place. Rewarding political supporters with diplomatic appointments has hurt prospects for doing good commercial diplomacy.
Call to all Ugandans: We call on all Ugandans including in the security forces to work together to make Uganda better for all in present and future generations. Uganda must restore its glory that foreign visitors like Winston Churchill and other travelers bestowed on her at the start of colonial administration when Uganda was christened the “Pearl of Africa” and Ugandans “the Japanese and Chinese of Africa”. Together we shall prevail. Separately we won’t.
Happy New Year