Ignore Geldof, says Chalker
Mar 31, 2005
FORMER British Minister for Overseas Development Linda Chalker has advised President Yoweri Museveni to ignore remarks made against him by Irish rock star Bob Geldof.
BY Felix Osike
and Steven Odeu
FORMER British Minister for Overseas Development Linda Chalker has advised President Yoweri Museveni to ignore remarks made against him by Irish rock star Bob Geldof.
Chalker, the president of the Unilever Group, made the remarks at a meeting for foreign and local investors at Imperial Resort Hotel, Entebbe.
She asked the government to embrace the recommendations contained in the recently released Commission for Africa report, saying they would accelerate development on the continent.
“The Commission report on Africa is good and worth taking note of. Ignore the wild cat we had to deal with, Bob Geldof. I will not say more than that because I would sound unladylike,†Chalker said. The president smiled but did not comment.
During the launch of the Commission for Africa report in London on March 11, Geldof said President Museveni should not stand for another term after his two constitutional terms expire in 2006.
Yesterday’s meeting was chaired by Museveni and attended by 22 chief executives and regional presidents of some of the world’s leading multinational companies like Microsoft, Coca Cola, Hewlett Packard, Heritage Oil, Stanbic and local companies.
Chalker emphasised the need for technical vocational training as one of the engines that can spur growth in Africa.
Prof. Ssemakula Kiwanuka, the state minister for investments, told a press conference after the meeting that the meeting discussed the need for a conducive environment for investors.
“Democracy was also discussed but the fact that we had over 20 big international investors in the country is an indication of confidence in our economy,†he said.
The meeting is said to have discussed the high power tariffs and its constraints to investors.
“Government is looking into it especially in areas where the high tariffs affect investors,†Kiwanuka said.
Museveni said, “The main problem (of energy shortage) is the interference by our development partners,†he said.
There were power blackouts as the President and energy minister Syda Bumba spoke, prompting laughter from the participants.
Ends
and Steven Odeu
FORMER British Minister for Overseas Development Linda Chalker has advised President Yoweri Museveni to ignore remarks made against him by Irish rock star Bob Geldof.
Chalker, the president of the Unilever Group, made the remarks at a meeting for foreign and local investors at Imperial Resort Hotel, Entebbe.
She asked the government to embrace the recommendations contained in the recently released Commission for Africa report, saying they would accelerate development on the continent.
“The Commission report on Africa is good and worth taking note of. Ignore the wild cat we had to deal with, Bob Geldof. I will not say more than that because I would sound unladylike,†Chalker said. The president smiled but did not comment.
During the launch of the Commission for Africa report in London on March 11, Geldof said President Museveni should not stand for another term after his two constitutional terms expire in 2006.
Yesterday’s meeting was chaired by Museveni and attended by 22 chief executives and regional presidents of some of the world’s leading multinational companies like Microsoft, Coca Cola, Hewlett Packard, Heritage Oil, Stanbic and local companies.
Chalker emphasised the need for technical vocational training as one of the engines that can spur growth in Africa.
Prof. Ssemakula Kiwanuka, the state minister for investments, told a press conference after the meeting that the meeting discussed the need for a conducive environment for investors.
“Democracy was also discussed but the fact that we had over 20 big international investors in the country is an indication of confidence in our economy,†he said.
The meeting is said to have discussed the high power tariffs and its constraints to investors.
“Government is looking into it especially in areas where the high tariffs affect investors,†Kiwanuka said.
Museveni said, “The main problem (of energy shortage) is the interference by our development partners,†he said.
There were power blackouts as the President and energy minister Syda Bumba spoke, prompting laughter from the participants.
Ends