NOMINATIONS IN 2006: Museveni’s fresh promise to Uganda

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni, seeking a third term, has set good governance high in his manifesto, launched on Thursday December 15, 2005.

In his 91-page document titled Prosperity, Transparency and Peace, Museveni commits to ensure that the country is not plunged into chaos under the multiparty politics. He also commits to provide a good environment to attract investors and promote private sector growth.

Museveni who has been in power for the last 20 years is seeking re-election under the multi-party political system on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket. Museveni says political pluralism in Uganda has in effect given freedom to other political groups to organise on their own. This in effect has allowed the NRM to consolidate and strengthen its management position.

Nrm Kololo, Museveni Waves To Supporters After Nomination 15.12

"We can continue building on the strong base we have so far laid in macro-economic management, infrastructure and provision of services in all sectors.

"We will continue to consolidate our achievements and carry out rural transformation through modern farming and the production of high value crops for the market with particular emphasis on value addition," he says.

The manifesto highlights economic management as a priority. The President, if re-elected, intends to ensure macro-economic growth rates under the strategy of private sector-led, export-oriented growth to increase earnings and create jobs for the youth.

"We will support market-oriented research geared towards adding value to the products," he says in his manifesto.

The manifesto focuses on effective implementation of compulsory Universal Primary Education (UPE), the vocationalisation of education at all levels and the continued education of the girl child and marginalised groups.

Nrm Kololo, Museveni Waves To Supporters After Nomination(c) 15.12

"We shall introduce Universal Secondary Education and promote university education. We shall also ensure that Uganda becomes the education hub of the region by ensuring high quality education," he said.

The manifesto also treats health as a key issue. It focused on intense immunisation programmes and fight against malaria by provision of free mosquito nets. "We shall consolidate our gains by bringing health services closer to the people and introduce health insurance."

It focuses on the production of high value, quality and quantities of agricultural output in order to capture the lucrative external markets. It also promises to build roads, schools and hospitals and to attract more investment by the private sector in these areas.

NRM undertakes to expand energy and mining, communications and the water sectors and promote ICTs to compete in a global economy.

Museveni intends to support Uganda Development Bank with a view to pursuing long-term borrowing in the processing of raw materials and the Housing' Finance Company for mortgage financing to the housing sector.

Nrm Kireka, Museveni Addressing Mini Rally After Nomination 15.12

"We shall further encourage the private sector to invest in mortgage financing. We shall avail micro-finance with low interest rates to organised groups, savings and credit cooperatives."

To promote the tourism sector, the manifesto focuses on giving incentives such as tax-holidays and tax exemptions on hotel inputs. "We shall set up a special fund for those who wish to invest in the tourism sector."

On defence and security, Museveni hopes to continue with the professionalisation and modernisation of the army and the police to match the tenets of the East African Federation. He says Uganda will also work with Sudan and the SPLA in pursuing the remnants of LRA to restore total peace in northern Uganda.

Government will continue to implement a strategy of a forestation and reforestation and ensure that school children are active participants in tree planting projects.

Museveni who became President in 1986 after leading a successful five-year liberation struggle, formed a broad-based government that united the country's political groups.

Museveni studied at the University of Dar se Salaam, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Political Science.

He lists achievements of his government as, ending the reign of terror in the country. "Until 1986, Ugandans had last voted in a free and fair election in 1962 and since 1971 few nights had gone by without terror, fear and anxiety caused by drunken, undisciplined, government soldiers. After 20 years of NRM rule, it is common to hear peasants still expressing their gratitude for peace ushered in."

Nrm Namboole, Museveni Waves To Supporters Before Nomination 15.12

He also boasts of the advent of democracy and credibility in systematic and methodical governance, eliminated sectarianism and relegated ethnicity-based political groups. He oversaw the enforcement freedom of expression, association and worship.

He counts among other feats the decentralisation of power, professionalisation of the army and police, the transition from Movement to Multiparty, fighting corruption, improving the housing conditions in the country and education. Improvement in the health sector, safe water, environment, road development, power extension, financial sector reforms.

Museveni however, acknowledges some challenges including the Post-Conflict rehabilitation or war-ravaged areas, land management, improvement of household incomes, he said the population has not yet taken advantage of the infrastructure like roads to produce for the markets.

He also says markets for the produce are still a problem and that rural poverty still bites hard. He is unhappy that high taxes, and property rates are still a problem. High interest rates on loans, lack of capacity by the middle class to build their own houses are part of the challenges.

The article was abridged by Milton Olupot, The New Vision Vision, Friday, December 16, 2005

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