Museveni opens giant store in Lugogo
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday said he wants the amended Constitution to empower him to issue directives on investment, public health and environment.
By Steven Odeu and Yunusu Abbey
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday said he wants the amended Constitution to empower him to issue directives on investment, public health and environment.
Opening the $10m ultra-modern Lugogo Mall, Museveni said the powers would enable him take quick decisions on the three sectors and eliminate the current delays. He said he would sign an order without consulting anybody.
“You can go and practice your democracy elsewhere, but not in these three,†he said.
The South African-owned Game Stores chief, Fanus Nothnagel, said by Sunday, the mall will have made sh1b. He said the store has invested $7.5m in Uganda and expects to make sh8b annually.
Museveni, who also launched Andrew Rugasira’s Rwenzori coffee brands, recalled how he personally intervened when Shoprite, the new Lugogo Mall owners, faced difficulties when they tried to acquire the site. Rugasira was a key player in the Shoprite Lugogo Mall deal.
Rugasira’s Rwenzori Coffee brands, to be sold in all Shoprite shops across Africa, include Gold Premier blend, Prestige Strong & Smooth as well as Classic Easy Drinking.
Museveni said, “We are going to correct the institutional inertia responsible for initial delays in implementing investment projects.â€
He criticised government officials for ‘conceptual confusion,’ preferring to maintain four-flooded football fields. “But I insisted that Ugandans needed employment,†he said, drawing laughter.
The mall, which opened yesterday, houses Game Stores.
Shoprite’s chief executive Whitney Basson said the opening of the mall would strengthen the group’s investment in Uganda following the success of its first supermarket on Ben Kiwanuka street, Kampala, which opened in 2000.
“Our presence has given Uganda consumers access to local and imported products at the lowest prices and will create jobs and contribute to Uganda’s economy,†Basson said.
Museveni appealed to Ugandans to adapt an industrial culture.
“Ugandans are sort of provincial or rustic. We waste time talking about clans, but these people talk about profits,†he said.
He warned Ugandans against absenteeism from duty over petty issues like burials of distant relatives.
“I spent five years in the bush and never buried any of my dead relatives. You should allow them to bury their fathers and mothers, but distant uncles and aunties, they send mabugo (condolence money).â€
Museveni said the private sector helps add value to local products. “Rugasira (VR Promotions owner) is already selling our coffee in Cape Town after adding value.
He is selling roast or ground coffee which was not being done here,†he added.
He encouraged Rugasira to set up a coffee factory in Uganda to employ his “brothers and sisters.â€
Rugasira is the chairman Rwenzori Coffee, whose products were launched in Cape Town, South Africa, in March. Shoprite operates in 15 African countries, with 688 outlets and employs 66,000 people.
Ends
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday said he wants the amended Constitution to empower him to issue directives on investment, public health and environment.
Opening the $10m ultra-modern Lugogo Mall, Museveni said the powers would enable him take quick decisions on the three sectors and eliminate the current delays. He said he would sign an order without consulting anybody.
“You can go and practice your democracy elsewhere, but not in these three,†he said.
The South African-owned Game Stores chief, Fanus Nothnagel, said by Sunday, the mall will have made sh1b. He said the store has invested $7.5m in Uganda and expects to make sh8b annually.
Museveni, who also launched Andrew Rugasira’s Rwenzori coffee brands, recalled how he personally intervened when Shoprite, the new Lugogo Mall owners, faced difficulties when they tried to acquire the site. Rugasira was a key player in the Shoprite Lugogo Mall deal.
Rugasira’s Rwenzori Coffee brands, to be sold in all Shoprite shops across Africa, include Gold Premier blend, Prestige Strong & Smooth as well as Classic Easy Drinking.
Museveni said, “We are going to correct the institutional inertia responsible for initial delays in implementing investment projects.â€
He criticised government officials for ‘conceptual confusion,’ preferring to maintain four-flooded football fields. “But I insisted that Ugandans needed employment,†he said, drawing laughter.
The mall, which opened yesterday, houses Game Stores.
Shoprite’s chief executive Whitney Basson said the opening of the mall would strengthen the group’s investment in Uganda following the success of its first supermarket on Ben Kiwanuka street, Kampala, which opened in 2000.
“Our presence has given Uganda consumers access to local and imported products at the lowest prices and will create jobs and contribute to Uganda’s economy,†Basson said.
Museveni appealed to Ugandans to adapt an industrial culture.
“Ugandans are sort of provincial or rustic. We waste time talking about clans, but these people talk about profits,†he said.
He warned Ugandans against absenteeism from duty over petty issues like burials of distant relatives.
“I spent five years in the bush and never buried any of my dead relatives. You should allow them to bury their fathers and mothers, but distant uncles and aunties, they send mabugo (condolence money).â€
Museveni said the private sector helps add value to local products. “Rugasira (VR Promotions owner) is already selling our coffee in Cape Town after adding value.
He is selling roast or ground coffee which was not being done here,†he added.
He encouraged Rugasira to set up a coffee factory in Uganda to employ his “brothers and sisters.â€
Rugasira is the chairman Rwenzori Coffee, whose products were launched in Cape Town, South Africa, in March. Shoprite operates in 15 African countries, with 688 outlets and employs 66,000 people.
Ends