Suruma irked by neglect of the needy

By Francis Emorut                          

Former finance minister, Dr. Ezra Suruma, has expressed his displeasure about some Ugandans’ insensitivity towards needy people.

He is irked by the neglect attitude Ugandans have towards the vulnerable people in society, saying such people mind about themselves and their families only.

Suruma was on Tuesday responding to a question of why Ugandans don’t take responsibility to discuss issues affecting them.

“We have orphans on the streets, there are people eating from the garbage and sleeping on the streets and we don’t care at all. That is not a good society,” he said.

Suruma who is a presidential advisor on finance and economic planning is also angered by the poor health services, saying patients especially pregnant mothers spend long hours in health centres without medical attention.

“You have patients lying on the floor of hospitals and health centres and no one shows concern for them or they take long to be attended to and we say nothing about it. That is a very dangerous society. We need to change our attitude.”

His advice to Ugandans is to express concern for one another where the vulnerable are protected.

“Up to now everybody is for himself, [and] that should change. We should become a loving society,” he noted.

The ex-minister was speaking during a national dialogue on the Public Finance Bill at Hotel Africana.

The dialogue was organized by Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) aimed at bridging the gaps in the Bill.

During the meet, the presidential adviser advocated for social protection to cater for the vulnerable in society. “We need social protection so that when one dies, he or she doesn’t die like a dog,” he said.

The coordinator of CSBAG, Julius Mukunda pointed out that the input of civil society should be included in the Bill such as developing guidelines for revenue sharing between the districts and traditional institutions, among others.