Domesticate SDGs to household level - minister

By Francis Emorut

KAMPALA - Uganda’s state minister for economic monitoring, Henry Banyenzaki, has called for the domestication of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to household, schools and high institutions of learning level so as to attract participation of all citizens to achieve their target.

The 17 SDGs are replacing the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are to expire this year.

“SDGs must be interpreted to the uneducated," said the minister.

He urged government to invest more in the agriculture, tourism and mining sectors so as to realize the development goals.

The SDGs aim at ending poverty and hunger, combating climate change, energy for all, gender equity, equitable education, reducing infant mortality rate, access to safe water, among others.

Banyenzaki also underlined the need to broaden the tax base to enable government get more revenue.

On corruption, he urged civil society actors to play a key role in combating corruption in the higher echelons of government.

"Governance and accountability are key; you shouldn't leave that to the executive.

"Government needs to be accountable to civil society organizations. No government can now thrive without recognizing the role of civil society organizations," he stated.

Skepticism
 

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President Yoweri Museveni launched the NDPII on Budget Reading Day last month

The minister was speaking during a meeting on financing the National Development Plan II priorities in Kampala.

According to the chairman of National Development Planning Authority (NPA), Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa, enumerated priority areas for the NDP II are agriculture, energy, tourism, mineral development and human capital development.

Mugerwa pointed out that the SDGs have been aligned to the NDP II as well as Uganda Vision 2040.

On their part, civil society organizations doubted government's commitment to fund NDP II as there were gaps in funding key sectors like agriculture, mining and health.

"In terms of what NDP II wants, we are starting on a shaky ground because the amount allocated to priority areas is reducing – apart from one sector [energy] which is properly financed," said Julius Mukunda, the coordinator of Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group.

Presenting a paper titled: "The 23.9 trillion budget and it will finance NDP II Priorities: Opportunities and Risks," Mukunda wondered whether government was committed to the key priorities of the plan.

"If these are priorities, are we walking the talk?

The coordinator also underscored the risks that could affect the financial year 2015/2016 budget, which he stated as: lack of absorption capacity, pilling debt, losses in terms of irregular payments, budget indiscipline, donor dependency and corruption.

He emphasized the need to address the challenges in order to realize the NDPII.
 

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NPA chairman Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa (left) chats with Julius Mukunda, the coordinator of Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group. (Credit: Francis Emorut)

Meanwhile, NPA’s Mugerwa assured that the NDP II can be achieved because SDGs have been aligned to the Uganda Vision 2040.

He pointed out that the plan aims at raising income per capita from $1039 in 2010 to $9500 by 2040.

Richard Sewakiryanga, the executive director of the Uganda National NGO Forum, implored government to make enabling environment to achieve the SDGs.

"The question of financing is not only about money but we must create an enabling environment for production and a thriving economy that will make future generations to enjoy.”

The NGO boss warned that government shouldn't allow money to flow anyhow during the elections period which is scheduled for early 2016 as this impacts on the economy negatively.

Joyce Nima from Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) stressed the need to strengthen laws regarding peace and security so as to attain the SDGs.