As it happened: Museveni's New Year address

PRESIDENT'S NEW YEAR ADDRESS TO THE NATION

Live reporting by Joseph Kizza

@joekizza


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8:13pm   END OF PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

It lasted a little over one hour.

In brief, that's what the President had to say.

Good night and a blessed 2019!

 

 

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8:10pm   African integration

"When we produce goods and services, where shall we sell them?"

The President, while talking about Uganda's recent bumper maize harvest, says the country needs more maize-milling machines, but that "we also need to sell more to our neighbours".

"Therefore, I hope to work with fraternal people of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burindi and South Sudan to consolidate the unity of East Africa Cmmunity," he says.

And together with COMESA and the African Union, we shall work to ensure the unity of the African continent, concludes Museveni.

"I thank you all and wish you a happy and prosperous 2019."

 

 

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8:06pm   Irrigation

Our goal is to transform agriculture from a rain-fed to irrigation-based sector, says Museveni.

And in so doing, there are three methods being employed:

1. Gravity-based irrigation

2. Microsolar pumping

3. Bulk water transfer

The micro irrigation projects will be 190 across the country.

 

 

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8:00pm   Land ownership

"I will directly lead the struggle against illegal land evictions," vows Museveni.

The categories of those who own land include:

1. Those whose ancestors were found on that land

2. Those who were allowed on that land by landlords or owners

3: Those who are bona fide occupants of the land by 1986

4. Those who bought or inherited the land

5. Those who are not among the four categories, but have been on the land for 12 years without anybody challenging them.

 

 

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7:56pm   Corruption: 'I can replace corrupt officials'

We have a very large number of educated people that are ready to replace corrupt officials, says the President.

"I can sack 10,000 civil servants and replace them the same day."

There is a 24-hour call centre established, headed by Lt. Col. Edith Nakalema, to tackle the problem of corruption.

"Nakalema is not replacing the IGG - this should be clear," Museveni says, explaining that it is a joint effort towards the fight against corruption.

 

 

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7:51pm   Corruption

"There is no way the NRM can fail to defeat corruption," says President Museveni.

Power over public finances lies in only five offices:

1. The permanent secretary in the ministry

2. The chief administrative officer in the district

3. The town clerk in a municipality

4. The gombolola chief at a subcounty

5. The financial controller in an autonomous self-accounting institution such as a university or a government agency.

 

 

 

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7:46pm   Political indiscipline

The President says political actors must be clear with the words they use in the line of their respective duties.

He points out vernacular words such as "okuvuganya" and "okulwana" and goes on to explain how the clear usage of them can lead to parties debating "peacefully" as opposed to throwing jarbs at each other.

Also to politicians: "To behave in a double-faced way, where you have one leg in the constitutional line and the other is of unconstitutional ways - that will not be allowed."

 

 

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7:44pm   Crime: 23 cases in Christmas season

The President says upgrading of the technological interventions to fight (urban) crime is already going on.

He says he was briefed by the Police that 23 offences were reported on Christmas Day, including 11 murders, one victim of mob justice, two victims of shooting, one attempted murder, two killed in accidental fire, one case of vandalisin of Umeme cables, one case of kidnap and another of arson.

These are mainly isolated incidents which are "straighforward" and not organised, says the President.

"This shows that vigilance is working and that by the end of 2019, our anti-crime posture will be quite different," he adds.

 

 

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7:35pm   Skilling youths

By skilling youths, we shall help them produce goods for export promotion, adds the President.

For example, some groups can get engaged in leather tanning and others in shoe making. Others can get into carpentry.

"I salute the many youth that flock the praying centres to pray to God," says the President.

But he cautions: Don't expect to pray for a miracle without working.

"Similarly, I advise those who flock drinking centres to seek help."

In addition, do not be extravagant, the President tips further on frugality.

 

 

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7:32pm   Youth development: 'I am optimistic'

"We have already laid a foundation for them," he says.

"We immunised all youths and today, all NRM youth are free of polio and measles - save for recent cases of measles outbreak in some parts of the country."

We introduced Universal Primary Education and Unversal Secondary Education to offer education to the young people, he says.

But there are still gaps, inclduing skills, jobs, wealth creation and sometimes discpline, says the President.

.@kagutamuseveni: Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) have raised the level of literacy from 43% to 75%. The gaps we still have are: skills for many of these youth, jobs, wealth creation and, sometimes, discipline. #M7NewYearAddress pic.twitter.com/aJ3Az048Mm

— State House Uganda (@StateHouseUg) December 31, 2018

 

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7:27pm   Exports

To the region, Uganda is exporting steel and steel products, dairy products, beverages, electronics, grains, fruits and vegetables, spices, coffee, tea, sugar and confectionary, etc.

Beyond the region, Uganda exports gold, coffee, cocoa, tea, fish and fish products, cotton and cotton products, flowers, cobalt, fruits and vegetables.

 

 

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7:20pm   Economy: 3Ls and C

The economy is already growing by 6.1%, says Museveni.

"Soon, we shall have the three important Ls, which are low cost of electricity, low cost of transport and low cost of money (interest rates)."

The comparative advantage in the cost of labour will also be realised.

"Working with Kenya and Tanzania, the issue of transport costs is being tackled by developing the rail and water transport and through UDB, we are addressing the issue of the cost of money for manufacturing, agriculture and the services sector," says the head-of-state.

 

 

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7:12pm   Economy: Mistakes by some people

Museveni says some mistakes by some elements hurt the economy.

Weather has also been a problem.

In 2006, there was intervention towards the electrification of the country - which "rectified some of these mistakes".

The economy in the financial year of 2018/19 will grow at a rate of 6.8%, he says.

"In 2006, the government gave due prioritization to electricity development and road construction. That little rectification effort of 2006 has now resulted into pushing electricity generation capacity to 1,800MW by 2020 compared to 60MW of 1986."

 

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7:08pm   Praying for those who died in 2018

President begins his address after the national anthem.

He starts off by paying tribute to all those that lost their lives in the year 2018, and prays that God comforts their families and friends.

Settled in, he then says he will talk about nine issues:

- Economy

- Youth development and employment

- Crime

- Political discipline

- Regional Integration

- Corruption

- Political leaders acting as examples in wealth creation

- Irrigation

- Land evictions

 

 

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7:00pm   President at Rwakitura

President Museveni will deliver his New Year address from his country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhura district.

 

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6:50pm   Already 2019!

By the way, it's already 2019 in some parts of the world.

For example, it is approaching 3:00am Tuesday (January 1) in Sydney, Australia and at the city's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House, fireworks lit the night skies as the Aussies said "welcome" to 2019.

Five hours left for that to happen in Uganda.

 

 

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6:45pm   'A blessed 2019'

I will deliver my New Year message, tomorrow, 31st December. I wish all Ugandans a blessed 2019. pic.twitter.com/inbuqHm9AZ

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) December 30, 2018

 

 

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6:40pm   Hello, good evening!

We are only hours away from ushering in the new year - 2019.

Welcome to this live commentary of today's delivery by President Yoweri Museveni for the fresh year.

Will keep you posted as the head-of-state speaks to the nation.

Just don't forget to refresh this page for updates.