Worrying developments in Uganda's political economy

Since its creation on July 9, 2011, members of United Democratic
Ugandans (UDU) have followed political, economic and social
developments in Uganda.  We are deeply concerned at the rapidly
deteriorating situation.
The abandonment of the failed structural adjustment program in 2009
was replaced by a five-year development plan. It was designed inter
alia to correct shortcomings of structural adjustment based on private
sector and market forces and return the economy to a development path
that would stimulate rapid economic growth, create jobs, reduce
poverty and food insecurity, among others.

The current economic crisis dominated by high inflation and food
shortages cannot be resolved by market forces alone. Strategic
government intervention is necessary to create jobs through public
works and resource transfers to poor and vulnerable groups including
pregnant women and lactating mothers as well as children especially
those in boarding schools.  As agreed by NEPAD of which Uganda is a
member, lunches are essential to keep children in schools. There is
documented evidence from developed and developing countries that
school lunches improve attendance and performance of children
especially of girls.

Although drought conditions have lowered food production, government
policy of export diversification including export of food stuffs
traditionally produced for domestic consumption such as maize and
beans has further reduced availability of food in local markets
pushing prices beyond the purchasing power of many households. On
humanitarian grounds, NRM government needs to step in and ensure all
Ugandans meet the basic food requirements. Every Ugandan has the right
to adequate food in quantity and quality.

At the political level, the government has continued to violate civil
and political rights including those related to freedom of assembly,
association and expression of opinion.  The government needs to
understand that these are not privileges but inalienable rights
enshrined in international and national instruments that no government
can take away. Political disputes should be resolved by negotiations
on a win-win basis. Continued use of force will only harden opposition
to the government and create uncertainties that will adversely affect
investments and tourism and constrain prospects for a quick recovery
from the current crisis.

Although UDU appreciates government efforts to improve urban
conditions, the manner in which it is going about it including
bulldozing some settlements may create disproportionate hardship
especially when commensurate compensation or alternative accommodation
is not provided. We call on the government to moderate its strategy
and the legislative branch to exercise its oversight responsibility in
order to minimize suffering of those affected.

Eric Kashambuzi
Secretary-General, UDU