The 2018/2019 National Budget Framework paper is out as part of the budget process and several discussions are underway to ensure that the budget is in line with the National Development Plan a guideline to achieving Vision 2020. As these discussions go on, economists and legislators want the government to channel more resources to priority areas which have high returns on investment. “If we say we want agro-processing, we want tourism, we want oil and gas, infrastructure which is affordable then let us put resources there. And let other sectors of Public Administration which are taking a lot of our money wait. So that if you want first oil, you invest in achieving first oil.” Said, Stephen Mukitale – MP, Bulisa County.
And knowing that Uganda is a private sector-led economy, calls are on for the government to support the private sector by helping them access cheap credit instead of competing for the same little resources. “The government’s efforts should be put in enabling the private sector if we wish; for example in agriculture, working with co-operatives, working with progressive farmers is a much better transformation agenda of agriculture to increase product activity and production, agro-processing as opposed to the government itself becoming a competitor with the private sector.” “You have Juakali industrialists, 65% of the firms beginning dying before celebrating the 5th birthday. That kind of country is not ready for private sector-led development. That country is ready for an alternative ideology which is called Economic Nationalism.” Said, Prof. Julius Kiiza – Lecturer, Makerere University.
The issue of duplication of roles within government agencies has been blamed for misappropriation of resources which experts say is hampering Uganda’s growth as set out in the National Development Plan. “Integrated planning is a challenge, we need to have inter-agency co-operation, and we need to revisit some of our laws and some of our policies so that we can actually stimulate the economy but also make sure that we are investing where it is required.” Said Bulisa County MP.
“This is a huge obstacle to effective economic governance and institutional development in this country and we need to address it. And we can draw a leaf from South Africa.” Said Prof. Julius Kiiza. In an economy where you have duplication of roles through a number of agencies, authorities, and commissions all depending on the same budget, Economists insist that re-aligning these institutions and ensuring that similar roles are done by a single agency can help a great deal in cutting down costs and re-allocating them to more productive areas without great returns on investment.
