LIVE: State of the Nation address

Jun 05, 2014

President Yoweri Museveni delivers a State of the Nation address in which he points out agriculture, industry, services and ICT as the four key sectors.

By Joseph Kizza

LIVE text commentary

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4.50pm: Well, that's it here folks. The president has officially opened the Fourth Session of Parliament, and let me just reiterate his emphasis on the big four sectors, which include, agriculture, industry, services and ICT that he says are the foundations of wealth and employment creation.

Thanks for sticking with us here, but just to remind you that the conversation is still going on. If you wish, join in via #SOTN14UG or post your thoughts on our Facebook page TheNewVision

For God and My Country!

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4.45pm: SPEAKER KADAGA ADJOURNS THE HOUSE

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga wraps up the meeting, and in her final remarks, she asks President Museveni to interact with MPs more often. "You can see their excitement," she quips in, in reference to the legislators.

This is followed by the singing of the anthems in reverse order, starting with the East Africa Community (EAC) one and then followed by the Uganda national anthem.
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4.43pm: PRESIDENT MUSEVENI ENDS ADDRESS

President Museveni ends his State of the Nation address by saying: "I have the pleasure to declare the 4th Session of the Ninth Parliament open."

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4.35pm: "I salute the UPDF, the Uganda Police, the Intelligence services and the vigilance of the population of Uganda."

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4.30pm: Museveni: "I am very pleased with the youths, graduates have now moved from slumber into actual life. Our science graduates are going into manufacturing, the Arts graduates into farming. This is very amazing."

When a nation has no vision, it perishes, says the president.

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4.20pm: Museveni says government plans to increase access to electricity in rural areas to 26% of total rural households, while sh4 trillion will go for roads and energy and sh1 trillion for defence in the next financial year (2014/15).

"We are adding development of the standard gauge railway from Mombasa-Kampala-Kigali-Juba, working with our Chinese friends," he adds.

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GET INVOLVED

true  Simon Peter Kasyate: Target is 40% of popn to have access to electricity by 2022-President Museveni

Simon Kaheru: M7 - Prioritisation in budgeting has led to new areas getting electricity: Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Otukei, Moyo, Bibia, Bundibugyo

Duke of Lango: M7 stressing Agriculture yet people get arrested for growing weed

Duke of Lango, did you mean this story? Goodlyfe musician arrested over bar brawl

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4.15pm: According to Museveni, "Our crude oil will be used in the refinery to produce oil products, as well as some for exportation and some for generating electricity". He then goes on to say that apart from oil and gas, the government conducted exploration in many parts of the country.

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4.10pm: Fighting corruption, pollution and deforestation shall boost the tourism industry in Uganda, says Museveni.

Speaking of boosting tourism, in 2012, Uganda was among the top 20 global tourism destinations in the year 2012, according to the National Geographic, an international travel channel affiliated to the National Geographic Society.

Back to the speech, the President underlines the importance of ICT, saying the sector is crucial for communication among people, for data processing and also for automation.  He points out that ICT has grown by 15% annually for the last two years.

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ON THE BIG FOUR SECTORS . . .

true  Wabuyi Denis But what is the share of agriculture in the budget, what is the share of ICT. Your Excellency should help us to walk the talk!

Wabwire Alex Kambo Busoga is full of sugar cane + working 4 cheap labour so with those two factors no progress will be seened.

Martin Tumukunde HE,here he is right,for a country to transform then there is need for industries,and more agricultural industries

Follow the discussion on our Facebook page TheNewVision

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4.00pm:  SHORTAGE OF RELIABLE PEOPLE

The president says the the problem is not shortage of money but shortage of reliable people to reach the services to the locals. He underlines the issue of NAADS, saying that NAADS was supposed to guide farmers, but that instead "they just used the sh203m we give them for salaries and seminars".

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GET INVOLVED

true Tumuhaise Raymond: 1.1% growth in agriculture is really not something to feel proud about in a country that boosts of a 78% popn involved in agric.

Joseph Owino: Opposition MPs clapping whenever @KagutaMuseveni mentions Luwero.

The discussion continues via #SOTN14UG

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3.45pm: Museveni says he is "always careful" to recommend to farmers to have a big international market as he believes the market (buyer) is very important in the agricultural sector.

He goes on to say that those with enough land near swamps should engage in fish farming. Others, he says, should practise apiary farming.

And for those with land of less than four acres, Museveni advices that they engage in mushroom and vegetable growing, in addition to poultry farming and piggery.

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3.40pm:  Among the challenges under the commercial and plantation farming include: the challenge of high cost of inputs, low use of fertilizers, and poor management skills of managers.

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3.30pm: PRESIDENT GIVES STATE OF NATION ADDRESS

The president starts up the gathering with a few humorous remarks in his introduction.  He starts his address by outlining what, to him, are the four key sectors for weath creation and employment in the country.

The four sectors are: Agriculture, Industry, Services and ICT

But how are the BIG FOUR performing?

Museveni goes on say that with the agricultural sector split into two, that is, Commercial and Plantation farming on one side, and subsistence farming on the other, there are still challenges being faced.

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3.15pm: MEETING STARTS

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Speaker Rebecca Kadaga opens the meeting, giving out a summary of Parliament's activity. She points out that Parliament's Third Session registered better than the Second Session.

She also underlines bills which have not been completed, including the Marriage and Divorce Bill, Public Finance Bill, Public-Private partnership Bill (which is to spell out ways of how government will work with the private sector for boosting business).

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HIGHLIGHTING ENERGY SECTOR

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Energy Minister Irene Muloni says the president will emphasise energy as priority item on Uganda's agenda for economic transformation.

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2.49:  SALUTATIONS

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A pleasantly nice tune is played by the police band as the president, with majestic strides, inspects a guard of honour. The band looks sharp and clean in white up and black down. Wonder how many times they had to rehearse this.

After the inspection, the national anthem is played (and ofcourse sung) again. Everyone at attention!

Up next, the salutations. The policewoman at the front of the line is loud enough. With this drill done, a neat line of policemen and women march past.

Reminds me of mchakamchaka back in school!

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2.45pm: PRESIDENT ARRIVES

President Museveni arrives at Serena, clad in a dark suit with a characteristic yellow tie. And ofcourse, the hat.

Just outside the hall, everyone comes out to join the president in singing the Uganda national, which is followed by the East Africa Community anthem.

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true Telma UG's Finest: If the Umeme tariffs are not addressed, dear M7 may i ask for my data back for this tweet back?

Murura: Attorney General Peter Nyombi must have few friends. He arrived alone.

Murura, interesting one there. Whom did you want him to arrive with?

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2.35pm: Last year's address featured the burden of maternal mortality and malaria, the student's loan scheme, construction of Karuma, Ayago and Isimba hydro-power stations, revamping of the railway, modernising of agriculture, overfishing and drug-resistant ticks in livestock, among others.

Meanwhile, zooming back to Serena, I can see groups of waiting dignitaries, politicians, investors, and others engaged in silent conversations as the clock continues to tick away. Perhaps on the menu of their talks are questions like "Where is he? When is he arriving?" That's my thinking though. But on a serious note, they must be discussing how much has changed since this time last year.

On your part, what do you think has changed since? What hasn't?

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2.20pm: THE QUESTION OF NATIONAL UNITY

Continuing with the UPC's press briefing,  the party's spokesperson Okello Lucima said the tribal, regional and religious associations exist at universities "because people think that it the only way they can attract resources".

According to him, "this cannot augur well for a society that cherishes unity".

Still, no signs of the president. We shall wait. Just to remind you, a conversation is going on on Twitter via #SOTN14UG

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 2.15pm:  KEY ISSUES

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While some want the president to tackle the issue of modernising the local agricultural secor, others feel that fostering national unity should be the centrepiece of the State of the Nation address.

During its weekly press briefing on Wednesday, the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) claimed that "narrow ethnic cleavages" define the country today.

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2.00pm: As the Police mount a guard of honour, ahead of the President's arrival, notable arrivals include Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and the Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Mubajje.

Not sure when this will start, considering that it's not 2.00pm. That will definitely depend on what time Museveni gets to the event. He shouldn't be far off, I think. As I mentioned earlier (see 1.50pm), traffic jam will not come in his way. He's got a presidential way of going around that puzzle!

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GET INVOLVED

true Kenneth Lukwago: Will the opposition walk out today? Waiting for those scarstic attacks and heckling

Emmanuel D Gunga: I tried to inquire and access the youth fund this year but in vain so as a struggling youth, I don't think this govt is for me

Atulinda Allan: We want ICT to get to education and agriculture in Uganda.

Join the conversation via #SOTN14UG

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1.50pm:  Inside the Serena Conference Hall, it's quite half-empty but dignitaries are continuing to flock him. Notably, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has just arrived. She's quite on time, I must say. Someone has just seen a convoy speeding to Entebbe, and no doubt that must be the president's. We are ten minutes away but I think with the speeds by which the presidential motorcade flies, he should just about make it on time. What with no traffic jam to worry about!

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1.41pm: It is less than half-an-hour before the address can start, and at the venue (Kampala Serena Hotel), the red carpet has already been laid out and a number of MPs, ministers are streaming in.

President expected to arrive at 2.00pm local time (EAT).

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1.30pm: With the 2016 general elections not far off, there are plenty of expectations that President Museveni will commit himself to underlining issues of good governance such as electoral reforms in light of the upcoming polls. Some section of the public expect him to unveil the steps the his government is taking to ensure free and fair elections.

Ofcourse, among other top issues include: modernising agriculture, solving the problems affecting civil servants' pay, fighting against maternal and infant deaths as well as plans for invesment.

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GETTING INVOLVED

true Sarah Kyobe predicts Museveni at address "We are working aggressively on electricity, the railways & the roads.Karuma will be built"

trueTamara Chebet: The quality of education is wanting

Lapyem Thomas Awany: I expect the President to speak about the issues of war victims in Uganda and reconciliation so the the victims forget the past and focus on the future.

Tutayebwa Smith: Let him speak about salary enhancement, rural electrification , safe mother delivery and clean water in rural areas.

Join the debate via #SOTN14UG

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1.15pm: Meanwhile, what issues do you feel must be included in the address? Which areas do you feel have been neglected in the recent years? What kind of action is needed to have some of these issues sorted out? I know there is a lot going in your head right now,so how about you share (some of) your thoughts via hashtag #SOTN14UG

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1.10pm: As provided for by the constitution, the President is mandated, at the beginning of each Session of Parliament, to deliver to Parliament an address on the State of the Nation. Remember that Thursday next week (June 12), finance minister Maria Kiwanuka will is scheduled to present the budget for the 2014/15 financial year.

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DULL SKIES

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 1.03pm: The event is taking place at Kampala Serena Hotel on a partly cloudy Thursday here in Kampala, with winds traveling at a fair 4mph and temperatures at an average 23 °C (or 73 °F). I'll warn you though, carry an umbrella along with you, or if you feel your hands are full, throw on a cardigan. By Kampala weather standards, a surprise downpour is ominous, if you asked me!

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LET'S GET STARTED HERE

1.00pm: Good afternoon and welcome to New Vision online's live coverage of the State of the Nation address to be delivered by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. As usual, Ugandans have their expectations of what issues need to be talked about, and this year, the critical issue of unemployment, among so many others, has again come fore.

We will be breaking down some of the discussion right here, so as you are still juggling what you believe are the priority areas the president should address today, be sure to keep us company as we get along.

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