Uganda still needs Mzee Museveni

Mar 23, 2020

The Ten-Point Programme emphasised the importance of economic development, declaring that an independent, self-sustaining national economy was vital to Uganda's interests.

OPINION

By Rose Namayanja

After taking over power in January 1986, the NRM government published a political manifesto drawn up in the days when it was an army of anti-government rebels.

The Ten-Point Programme emphasised the importance of economic development, declaring that an independent, self-sustaining national economy was vital to Uganda's interests.

The manifesto also set out specific goals for achieving self-sufficiency by diversifying agricultural exports and developing industries that would use local raw materials to manufacture products necessary for development.

It also set out to improve basic social services, including water, health care and housing; improve literacy skills nationwide; eliminate corruption, return expropriated land to its rightful owners, raise public-sector salaries, strengthen international ties in the region, develop markets among East African nations and maintain a mixed economy combining private ownership with an active government sector.

The NRM Government proposed a major rehabilitation and development plan (RDP) for fiscal years 1987-88 through 1990-91 with IMF support.

This four-year plan was intended to stabilise the economy and promote economic growth. Other goals were to reduce Uganda's dependence on external assistance, to diversify agricultural exports, and to encourage the growth of the private sector through new credit policies.

So the different NRM manifestos have been looking at how social services can be brought near to its people, for example the 2016 manifesto focused on taking Uganda to modernity through job creation and inclusive development, 2011-prosperity for all: better service delivery and job creation, 2006 prosperity for all, 2001-consolidating the achievement and 1996-tackling the tasks ahead.

Economic growth has been impressive since 1986 through the priority guidelines by the NRM manifestos and dedicated leadership of the NRM GDP was $246m by 1986, $6.046b in 1996 and $25.7b in 2017, inflation was 240% in 1986 and 5.7% 2017.

Agriculture has dominated the economy, with cotton and coffee (in 1986-160,000 tonnes compared to four million bags in 2017 generating $452m comprising 76% of exports, dairy 395 million litres in 1986 to 2.2 billion litres in 2017, tea 3,335 litres in 1986 to 58 million bags per year generating $130m.

Uganda has joined forces with Kenya and Tanzania to form the East African Community, with the intention of creating a common market for our agricultural produce.

Key sectors have greatly witnessed a drastic and tremendous outward shift. The main sector include health, education, transport, energy and security

On transport, tarmac roads have increased from 1,200km in 1986 to nearly 5,000km today in the whole country. This has eased movement and doing business.

The NRM hopes that in the next few years, 2,000km of new roads will be constructed. This will lead to about 6,000km of roads. Rehabilitation and reconstruction of some sections of the national roads and turning them into dual carriageways is also expected soon.

This above has seen all the county's borders connected by tarmac roads. This has led to a boost in trade. The roads from Nimule-Busia-Katuna and DRC borders are all in very good condition.

On health sector, the NRM Government has constructed 3549 health Centre II in the whole country. By 1986, there were only 89 health centres III, but they are now 1,379, 81 district hospitals have increased to 162. This has improved the access to medical care and treatment. Out of the 2,547 hospitals, the Government operates 1,708, non-governmental organisation 559, individuals run 280 health facilities. There are two national referral hospitals (Mulago and Butabika) and 10 regional referral hospitals.

Life expectancy has increased from 48.13 in 1986 to 59.18 today. Infant mortality rate has dropped from 113.41 per 1000 births in 1986 to 57.4 per 1000 births in 2005. The mortality rate dropped from 438 per 100,000 births in 2011 to 336 death per 100,000 in 2016.

The education sector has seen several policy changes including liberalisation of the sector, the introduction of USE, UPE, which have greatly increased enrolment in schools.

Teachers have increased from 74,000 in 1995 to 200,000 currently, schools have increased from 12,500 in 2000 to 25,000, classrooms increased from 68,000 to 170,000, universities have increased from one in 1986 to 11 as of now and 40 private universities are licensed as a result over 400,000 Ugandans graduate every year.

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