Opinion: Speaker Among can invoke rule 112 but it doesn’t make it more honest…

Whereas we are cognizant that some MPs are absent from the House, I am yet to receive individual letters, asking for permission to be out of the house. It is strict liability not to be courteous. We take personal liability, we were voted individually not as a team, so I am yet to receive from persons who are absent from the House” – Speaker Anita Among (22.11.2023).

The truth of the matter is this… the request and the ideals of Speaker Among isn’t sincere. These Parliamentary Rules and Rule Book for the 11th Parliament have been strictly used against the Opposition and certain Members of Parliament, because of their stature within the Opposition. The same rules seems to be forgotten and not exist or be honoured if an MP from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was doing it.

Yes, in theory and practice, the boycotting Members of Parliament should seek the approval of the Speaker for “Leave of Absence”. However, we all know how that will go and how useless that is. She will use the book as a brick and throw it in their faces. The Speaker will humiliate them and bow to her honour. That’s what she does and how she rules the House.

This is why the Opposition MPs who are defying and boycotting the plenary sessions are doing so out of spite, but also out of a necessary evil. There is no other way out. We have seen how the games are played. The government isn’t being held accountable and the pleas for getting information or reports on the matters are disregarded. They are even mocked and being downplayed like it isn’t concerning even.

Speaker Among and Minister’s has played along to this. The NRM MPs and the 11th Parliament don’t mind the Human Rights Violations, the Prisoners of Conscience or ones abducted to unknown locations by the state. The August House doesn’t take this into consideration or even shows them a little a bit hope. No, there is nothing and no tears lost. Only more braggadocios behaviour and acts of mischief. As the opposition is whacked on their heads and have to bow down to rules of house.

This is why the boycott in itself won’t do much either. The NRM won’t change. The government and the authorities have been doing this for years now. They intend to extend its reign and will not cease the activities of the security organizations. The drones will continue and the agony will be felt on more civilians. The citizens who dares to become a part and be vocal supporters of the opposition. Those are the ones that could face the law, if not face the authorities and the shady side of politics. They could lose their freedom, their liberty and their rights to live normal life. As they await a long journey in dungeons, in awaiting prolonged periods before trial and even being court martialed as civilians. That’s what this government does and it doesn’t want the whole truth exposed.

That’s why the Speaker retaliates and makes threats. She has the rules of parliament to her disposal and can whip it. The usage of perks and others things can stifle some. Regardless of that, the cause they are fighting is for people who are suffering. The ones who stood up and is paying the price. They dared to challenge this regime and now they are living in an uncertain future. That’s why they boycotting the proceedings.

The Speaker should understand those sentiments. She should see and her the stories, but it’s hard to believe that. When you have a mansion and live a “glamorous life”. The MPs fights a just cause, but don’t expect any sympathy from the Speaker. She don’t care and only values her own power. Right now she’s at the top and she wants to prove it to her master that she was the right choice. Peace.

Uganda: MK Movement “The Bridge” – Press Release (21.11.2023)

Opinion: Mr. President, it’s your policies from the 1990s that made Busoga poor…

I have been peeping through my car window as I travelled here for this function and I have kept wondering to myself how do these people (in Busoga sub region) live through this sort of poverty? I have screened through all these villages where I have passed but the houses and all the other things I have seen have left me wondering how it’s possible for our people [in Busoga] to survive through these hard economic conditions”– President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (18.11.2023).

We are living in 2023 and the generations that saw the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) are old, bitter or forgotten about. They saw the implications and the costs of doing so. The privatization and liberalization of the economy, which was the stipulations of the Bretton Woods Organizations and getting loans in the 1990s. This was at a time when President Museveni himself was a “new breed” of leadership and even a President that Bill Clinton spoke kindly of.

However, those days are gone, decades later and the grim realities of the effects of those policies are now coming to haunt the government. Industries and the industrial hub of Jinja city died as a cause of this. State owned and operated Cooperatives ceased to exist, sold or just dissolved. The ones thriving industries was sold for scraps and are now a jaded memory. While it was decades one of the points and cities that pumped foreign currency and created wealth.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Museveni earned fortunes on the loans, grants and the SAPs. They got favours and favourable terms for the central government, but the businesses, state owned enterprises or cooperatives had to adjust to new terms. Which inflicted harm and damage, which have never been able to heal.

That why this was reported earlier in the year:

According to the Busoga Development Agenda (BDA), Busoga’s economic collapse is partly a result of the collapse of Jinja’s industrial prowess due to the 1994 privatization policy and weakening of the cooperative movement in Busoga, a disunited political leadership and cultural leadership differences that destabilized the role of the Kyabazingahood as a rallying point for the unity of Busoga after the demise of the late His Royal Highness Henry Wako Muloki” (Busoga Today – ‘Development and Economic Empowerment’, 22.07.2023).

If you ever wonder how the process and the sales was done by the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Well, it is done like it has always been done. It has been done with favours and within own ranks, the NRM Way. The way of the President and his inner-circle. They are getting bargains and good deals or a trade for loyalty. That’s what Museveni does and he can sell of anything, if it benefits him and his time in office. He don’t care if a hotel goes bust or gets sold for scraps. Museveni don’t mind if a factory or a cooperative gets locked in and gets worse ownership. No, he sold something and return he got a loyal crony. That’s the business model and that how you destroy industries and production.

Just read this one here from an Academic Paper in 2011:

During the privatization process at least seven (9%) out of 74 SOEs were undervalued and sold to government employees costing government Shs. 4.3 billion (US$2.2) (over US$2,152,000 at US$=Shs.2, 000).xxxvi Undervaluation (AV>SP) was calculated as the excess of asset value (AV) over the sales price (SP). The undervaluation was explained by politics and weak private sector. First, the ruling party supporters included cabinet ministers, presidential advisers, National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters and Members of Parliament (MPs). In order to marshal political support, the ruling NRM either undervalued or condoned default” (…) “Second, undervaluation was expected even before sale if the locals were to buy SOEs. What was not expected, however, was the preferred sale of the SOEs to NRM cadres and family members of President Museveni. Before sale, it was realized that the locals would not be able to buy all assets offered for privatization. Total SOE assets exceeded all the amount of money in the Ugandan Banks. While total SOEs assets were valued at Shs. US$ 1 m (Shs. 200 billion), the entire money supply was just shs. 50 billion and bank deposits stood at shs. 46 billion end of January 1989” (David Kibikyo – ‘Fiscal impact of privatization in Uganda 1992-2007’ July 2011, African Journal of Political Science and International Relations Vol. 5(7), pp. 371-387).

So, when the NRM comes to town and Busoga and says “vote for NRM we bring development”. Well, in regards to the Busoga sub-region. The NRM has brought the opposite. The President and his policies from the 1990s and early 1980s are the destructive means, which destroyed the industries of Jinja. That’s a fact and the sale of SOEs didn’t benefit the sub-region either. It was a drive to keep the inner-circle happy and the enrich his family. That’s what the gist of the privatization, which hurt Busoga and other owned state owned enterprises across the Republic.

The President can act like a visitor and as a stranger to Busoga in 2023. However, it is his will and his choices that put them there. He decided to take the International Monetary Funds (IMF) and World Bank (WB) funds that entailed the SAPs. The President didn’t mind the implications and complied, as he saw positive outcomes… profits internally and externally become beloved. Because, he followed “Washington Consensus” and traded the future of the nation for a few silver coins. That’s what he did and now his blaming the Busoga in part for their poverty. When he can be blamed and should carry a heavy burden for doing so. Peace.

Opinion: Kasolo needs a lesson of humility…

In future, government could pass a law in parliament whereby all the lazy-poor people would be given strokes so that they can also learn to work and become rich because we have discovered that some Ugandans need to be pushed into wealth acquisition,”– microfinance state minister Haruna Kasolo (Daily Monitor, 14.11.2023).

The two term minister for Microfinance and one term Member of Parliament, Haruna Kasolo have not understood or grasp humanity. There are levels to this and reasons for why people are the way they are. Everyone aren’t in the inner-circle or have options. Plenty of people are stuck in a rot and have very little wiggle room.

So, as a Minister who is lucky to retain his office after being defeated in the General Election in 2021. He should understand the plights of people. As a Minister he should find ways to inspire and get people active. Instead he wants to give them a capital punishment and incite more fear. That will certainly not give them incentive or reasons to change their lifestyle. It will only backfire and cause more resentment. As on top of their struggling day-to-day, the government would come with sticks and beat the living crap out of them.

Does the Minister have conscience or heart?

I hate to ask, but it only makes sense. He should try to use his office to reform and give people ways to get out of poverty. As a man of power and an office, he could actually help people out and make a difference. However, it is easier to be judgmental and practically lenient on your own watch. Surely, he decided when to show up and how busy his calender is. Not like he has to answer to anyone or if so… show up to a Committee and a Plenary Session every blue moon. So, he can take it easy and is off the hook.

That’s why it’s interesting that he says this. A man who spoken of the “prosperity gospel” so many times. A man who tried to speak and spread the message as he was told. However, it has apparently gone nowhere and he feels lost. That’s why his considering mental gymnastics and use of force.

To use brutality and violence will not give people the spirit or the drive to succeed. The state has to offer a lot more and plenty of other measures to make it possible. There is a need for change and reform, but not more violence. That is not a solution, but a way of showing the total disregard of fellow citizens or civilians for that matter.

The minister is forgetting who his serving and why he has an office. His there to serve the population and not be an intimidating figure. Neither be a man who orders pain or suffering. He should ensure the Microfinance schemes are working and actually helping the borrowers. Not only to serve and collect. Because, certainly this isn’t a good look…

Hon. Kasolo need to rethink his strategy. He needs another way and try to understand the minds and the spirit of people. Right now… his just one of them and his forgetting why people are in their situations. There is reasons for it and a beating will not help them. Neither is the humiliation or the pain, which they would suffer from it. They will only be more troubled and struggle mentally after it. Since they got beaten and they really don’t know why… and for what reason. That is a hopeless situation and one that could have been avoided, which means the Minister should have found another solution.

He should consider to implement reforms and open up the floodgates of bottlenecks, loopholes and other mechanisms to ensure people get out of poverty. However, his master and the inner-circle won’t do that… because that takes away their means to earn on a daily basis. Peace.

Opinion: Odonga Otto wants to be crowned king…

My decision to contest was triggered by unending corruption, tribalism, sectarianism, and nepotism in the country. We also have poor facilities in the health and transport sectors, and a poor political space with no real democracy” – Samuel Odonga Otto, former Aruu County MP

It is now official that Samuel Odonga Otto is standing for the Presidency in the 2026 under the banner of the newly formed party – Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP). As a former MP he was a part of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) for years until 2021. When the FDC fielded another candidate against him. He had been elected as an MP since 2001 and fell out with the party after 20 years.

Now his been “independent” and wasn’t re-elected for the fifth time. He stood at the time in 2021 for the Uganda Economic Party, but didn’t succeed to get elected. The last time he tried was in Aruu South County and tried to fight it in the courts, but they uphold the victory of another candidate. Meaning he was without an office and without the opportunity to serve in the 11th Parliament.

This will all be done to serve the interests of Odongo Otto. He is now making himself a leader of his own created party. If there is a place or people will gather around it. That’s another matter. His an alternative, but he couldn’t get popular enough to regain his seat. After he has been representing there for 20 years.

That means people was tired of games and lack of commitment. Yes, he has been controversial and stood tall in some of his principals. But there is a reason why he lost by 5,000 votes. People didn’t accept his mediocrity and lack of delivery. They had trusted him, time and time again. He had allied himself Besigye and the FDC. However, in 2021 he was defiant against the FDC and the National Unity Platform (NUP). Which was another reason for his downfall.

Odonga Otto can be voice and can be a loudmouth. His been savvy enough politically to win races four times. However, that has been in one district and one county. That hasn’t been nationwide and neither is he a beloved character of any kind. His just a man who has fought and been loud about critical questions when they arise. However, as a legislator… I cannot remember him doing anything substantial or partake in any amendment that made a difference. And he was there since 2001 up to 2021.

This man should have done something and should have made more of himself than a name. However, that was clearly enough. The former MP wants the title, but he won’t get it. He will be a briefcase party with a cool logo. However, we can wonder if he will have a platform, manifesto or a program worth listening too.

This is a vanity project and it’s bound to fail. Peace.

Opinion: Kasumba is putting the cart before the horse in regards to Lord Mayor Lukwago…

I am yet to see what the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has done to improve Kampala given all the time he has had. I am not saying it is not there. It may be, but someone needs to educate me on what that is, whatever it is. I have even held this conversation with him asking him to dedicate some of his time to the finding and doing of something in Kampala from which it shall be recalled in 200 years later that that was the handiwork of Erias Lukwago as Lord Major” (Samson Kasumba – ‘OPINION: But what has Erias Lukwago really done for Kampala?’ 10.11.2023).

A politicians should be scrutinied and questioned. It is nice to see a text like this NilePost, but they are most about the opposition or opposition leaders. There isn’t the same due diligence or concern about the Ministers or the high ranking officials of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). You could wonder why, right?

However, we already know why, but let me digress. The article’s premiss is flawed, because it gives the apparent idea that the Lord Mayor has power and ability in his office. As if the Lord Mayor of Kampala can make a difference and change. The article acts like Lukwago is a powerful governor or Prince of the City, but his just a figure-head and publicist for the city at this point. That’s by default, by law and by design. It is as if the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) wasn’t made for a purpose and the appointment of a Minister of Kampala didn’t have an effect. An effect that has shielded and made it nearly impossible for the Lord Mayor to succeed or even get wiggle-room in his office. Secondly, speaking of time. In the last term he was impeached unjustifiably so and later had to return. Thirdly, the Lord Mayor has been arrested and house-arrested plenty of times too. That also take away the ability to achieve anything.

Nevertheless, let us go to the basics for a minute…

11. Functions of Lord Mayor.

(1) The functions of the Lord Mayor are to—

(a) be the political head of the Capital City;

(b) preside over all meetings of the Authority;

(c) perform ceremonial functions and civic functions;

(d) host foreign and local dignitaries;

(e) head the Authority in developing strategies and programmes for the development of the Capital City;

(f) monitor the administration of the Capital City;

(g) provide guidance to the division administrations; and

(h) represent the Capital City on the Metropolitan Authority.

(2) The Lord Mayor shall in the performance of his or her functions, be answerable to the Authority and the Minister.

(3) The Deputy Lord Mayor shall assist the Lord Mayor in the performance of his or her functions and shall otherwise deputise for the Lord Mayor in his or her absence” (KCCA Act, 2010).

When you read these things. It doesn’t make the Lord Mayor powerful or prestigious does it? Well, in my regards, it make him a glorified councillor, but not a man with a mandate to make a difference. That is more for the appointed leadership within the KCCA and especially the KCCA Executive Director,

Just read this one here:

19. Functions of executive director.

The functions of the executive director shall include the following—

(a) to be the head of the public service in the Authority and to head the administration of the Authority, including divisions and wards;

(b) to be the accounting officer of the Authority;

(c) to be responsible for the management of all public funds of the Authority and accountable to Parliament;

(d) be responsible for coordination and implementation of national and council policies, laws, regulations, byelaws, programmes and projects;

(e) advise the mayor and Authority on Government policy;

(f) present the annual budget to the Authority;

(g) advise the Authority on technical, administrative and legal matters pertaining to the management of the Authority;

(h) implement lawful decisions taken by the Authority;

(i) oversee the delivery of quality services to the population within the Capital City and take remedial action where service delivery standards are below the expected minimum standards;

(j) ensure proper physical planning and development control in the urban councils;

(k) monitor and coordinate the activities of the directorates of the Authority and of the lower Authority;

(l) be the custodian of all the assets and records of the Authority;

(m) attend meetings of the metropolitan Authority;

(n) supervise and evaluate staff performance;

(o) liaise with the central Government and other institutions on behalf of the Authority;

(p) conduct the public relations of the Authority;

(q) promote trade order;

(r) mobilise the urban community for development and sustainability of infrastructure and services;

(s) be responsible for the enforcement of ordinances and byelaws made by the Authority and its lower council units;

(t) be responsible to the Authority, subject to the general directions of the Minister;

(u) on day-to-day operations, be responsible to the Authority; and

(v) make reports to the council and the Minister on the state of affairs of the Capital City at least once a year or as the Minister or the Authority may determine;

(w) to perform any other duties assigned by the Authority or the Minister” (KCCA Act, 2010).

This here sounds like the person should address and the ones with real power. That’s the intension of the creation of the KCCA to clip the wings of the Lord Mayor and it has done so too. That’s why the most prominent leader in the hierarchy of Kampala is sort of the Executive Director of the KCCA. Just read the functions of the Executive versus the Mayor and you get the gist.

That’s why it’s rich to read a paragraph like this in the article…

Erias Lukwago run for that office to serve us residents of the capital. If you knew that it is near impossible to deliver services under this NRM government, why did you run for an office from which we expect services? There seems to be a line of dishonesty here. I am not sure that the primary task of a Lord Major is to effect change of Government. His job is to deliver services to the city dwellers. Has he done that? If he has not, must we not bring him to task? If and when we don’t bring him to task. then have we taken our citizen responsibility seriously?” (Kasumba, 10.11. 2023).

The KCCA Act didn’t eradicate or take away the role or office of Lord Mayor, but it did take away it’s mandate and partly its reason for existing. It is a duplication and done so because the NRM cannot get their flag-bearers to win an election. They know this and the President too. That’s why they have made this law and amended it too. Just to ensure that the NRM get to have oversight and have some sort of control of the city. Even if the City elects the opposition and leaders in defiance of the NRM.

Yes, Lukwago should be able to bring services to the people, but in this case. The calls should be at the Executive Director and her “council” or “authority”, as they are bearing the blunt of the mandate and the Lord Mayor is there for the festivities.

So please, get a grip and until laws are either amended or removed. Until that happens and the law is still active. That sets the boundaries, the mandate and options, which the Lord Mayor has in his office. Therefore, let us adjourn and get some chai, aye? Peace.

Opinion: Otaala fears transparency… [and we need to know what stipulations there are in the Vitol agreement]

MP Emmanuel Otaala (West Budama South) mocked Jimmy Akena (Lira East Division) for behaving like his father (Milton Obote) who was a dictator, after the former First Son refused to switch off his microphone in a heated Committee meeting at Parliament.

Akena: Don’t overrule everything and not listen to others, the point here is very critical, I am going to continue. I am not switching it (microphone) off.

Otaala: Your dad was a dictator and that is on record

(…) ”Earlier on, the two had disagreed over attempts by Otaala to block media from covering Committee proceedings on the scrutiny of the contract signed between Government and Vitol (company hired as sole importer of fuel and gas products into Uganda) over claims that the agreement had confidentiality clauses. Akena questioned Vitol’s business ethics citing the US$135m the company was fined by US & Brazil Gov’t on bribery allegations” (ParliamentWatch, 08.11.2023).

Today we heard a story as old as time, a Parliamentary Committee wants to hide or keep things private. Even when their hearing and inquiry is public. The Committee Chairman Otaala must be ordered and wanted to adhere to it. While Akena pushed for openness, as the citizens should know the details behind Vitol and the Government of Uganda (GoU).

It is bad when the government is hiring a company to do one, as they are creating a monopoly and the stipulations of the agreement should be made public. The agreement should be known … and what it details. However, we are now aware that Otaala as a part of the government doesn’t want the truth out. Meaning the reasons for not unleashing it must be bad and the core parts of the deal might be shady. That’s why the dissent and opposition pushed the edges…

Otaala can call Obote whatever he wants and Obote has to live up to his legacy. Just like Otaala will live up to his own. His actions today isn’t good looking and now I want to have more insight into the Vitol agreement, which has monopoly of imports of fuel and gas to the Republic. That is needed to be public and not be kept in an achieve.

That Akena pushes the Chairman and gets him on “edge” is good for the Republic actually. Because, then maybe the truth can come out or if not be able to set a date for further inquiry. As the stakeholders and the ones signing the agreement should meet the committee in question. There is a need for more meat on the bone and the “hot-air” is solving anything.

The agreement was apparently also made in darkness and now Akena or others has to shed a light on it. As the citizens needs to know what is going on and why the GoU did this. Peace.

The Misadventure of Samuel Walter Mukaaku Lubega…

I wasn’t invited to the NUP headquarters unveiling, but I guess they just forgot. However, my input in the formation of People Power was immense. If NUP has a mother, I am the mother” – Lubega Mukaaku (07.11.2023).

Sometimes, someone should be happy that they were that close, but they were still that far. There was a reason why Mukaaku Lubega was an aspiring Member of Parliament for Rubaga South Division and ended up running on a Social Democratic Party ticket. He wasn’t the flag-bearer for the People Power Movement or the National Unity Platform (NUP). No, he ran on the SDP and the Democratic Party Block (DP Block) ticket of sorts.

He really thought he was special and had a unique role. A somewhat “main character” syndrome and being the character of your own movie. Where you are the one who makes the changes and who has the ability to make a difference. Alas, that wasn’t the case and he even caused a stir from within. Not only is his barking and tongue twisting rhetoric, after Bobi Wine didn’t follow-up or care to join the DP Block. He saw it for what it was and left it behind. While Mukaaku Lubega was already invested in it and had a role. Regardless of the pressure group standing or even possibility of gaining a momentum.

We can understand that the man wants to be seen as vital person. He desperately wanted to a MP and be respected by the NUP. In the People Power Movement he wanted to be seen as an achiever and become a voice. However, his own blind ambition and lack of self-control possibly destroyed it all.

You know it is bad when the NUP sacks you outright and take your out of a race. There is something shady then and something not acting right. It had to be the character and smelling trouble. This is why the NUP fielded Mukasa Aloysius Talton Gold who won with over 49,000 votes, wile Lubega himself got only 719 votes. Therefore, the NUP did the right choice and picked a more suited candidate.

When you write this in July 2023 to Bobi Wine: “The public has many doubts and is asking many questions. It needs answers. There is a growing feeling that the struggle is off the rails rendering no hope for change. There is need to have a frank reflection and evaluation of the past period, if possible correct mistakes and clarify the above unsettling developments in order to regain public confidence . We in the DP BLOC too need clarity on these issues to adequately inform our decision on our next course” (Lubega, 2023).

We can just see where he stands and what role his playing. A man who sought distrust and trying to discredit the NUP and the People Power Movement. It was within reason that NUP in their time did sack him outright. Maybe not in the best manner, but the way they saw fight. Because, they knew he was a liability. That’s why he wants to be of vast importance now.

He wants glory and tell tales of old. Since he was in meetings and interviews. He was canvassing votes and trying to drum up support. Yes, he did so, but so did plenty others and they didn’t try to aim for roles or titles. However, you sought for that and got that in the DP Block. A place where you belonged and where you had history as a Young Democrat of sorts. Therefore, this tale today is bonkers and beneath you.

Lubega should know better, but apparently his not. Well… main character syndrome is powerful and can distort someone vision. Peace.

Opinion: Mzee’s arrogance towards AGOA…

I need to advise you not to be over-concerned by the recent actions by the American Government in discouraging their companies from investing in Uganda and on removing Uganda from the AGOA list” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (05.11.2023).

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is an opportunity for the businesses in Uganda to export products or produce, raw material and others to the United States of America on unique terms. Which has been beneficial for other nations. While the National Resistance Movement (NRM) haven’t been able to develop or follow the terms or conditions for such is another matter. As we know the Kenyans are much more thrifty and has set the standard on these matters. That’s maybe why the President is so arrogant and brushes it off.

A key aspect in the letter from U.S. President Joe Biden on the 30th October was this:

Despite intensive engagement between the United States and the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger, and Uganda, these countries have failed to address United States concerns about their non-compliance with the AGOA eligibility criteria.” (Biden, 30.10.2023).

The key term here is “non-compliance” and meaning the Ugandan authorities or government itself is breaching the agreement, which is reason for the opportunity to trade within the framework of AGOA. The Ugandan government might disagree with these conditions or terms, but has to comply to be eligible in the first place. That’s the rule that AGOA sets on anyone and they just have to comply. It is as simple as that.

However, Museveni wants it his way…

Uganda, under the NRM, is and will succeed, regardless of what some of the external actors and internal detractors do. The further good news, is that not all the Western Countries’ actors are of the same arrogant attitude. Many, actually, either agree with us or believe in the correct principles of live and let live. Even in the colonial times, some Western actors supported our anti-colonial struggle. People like Fenner Brockway, Dingle Foot, Olof Palme, etc., supported us” (Museveni, 05.11.2023).

The U.S. legislation of AGOA is a “new” one in some senses, as it only dates back to 2020. It isn’t a colonial relic or a mechanism from the days of slavery. No, it is a modern one, which has one important aspect.

That is explained like this: “The legislation significantly enhances market access to the US for qualifying Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. It does that by allocating a special program indicator (‘D’) to approximately 6,800 tariff lines in the US tariff schedule, which allows US importers to clear such goods – sourced from eligible African countries – duty-free under AGOA” (AGOA – About AGOA).

This explanation is stating one fact, which the businesses of Uganda misses out on. They will loose out on favourable tariffs when exporting to the U.S. Market. Meaning the prices of exporting will go up and the viability to enter the market will be much tougher. On the short-term its only the ones supplying and exporting the U.S. under these terms that is hit today. However, in the long run… the ones who wants or have a chance. They will either be to expensive or to much red-tape to get there. Which isn’t better for development or trading in general.

The AGOA and principals of AGOA could be beneficial for Ugandan businesses. Especially, if export businesses and the ones who has value-added enterprises wanted to significantly enter a capitalistic market and ensure possibility of selling on a large scale. Because, that what you do, if you get a shot.

We see that the President doesn’t value this and for his often speaking of value-addition. This here is the opposite and it isn’t clever. Neither using arrogance or colonialism. The AGOA is about an opening to a market and ability to trade without to many hurdles. The AGOA has stipulations, but if you adhere to them. You get prospects of entering a market, which gives you possible profits. Therefore, you are foolish to let this one slide. However, that is what the President does and he doesn’t mind.

Actually, the President isn’t concerned… and that is telling. Peace.

The United States Trade Representative – Executive Office of the President letter to Ugandan Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. Francis Mwebesa on “AGOA” (31.10.2023)