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Whistleblower Asks For Protection; Exposes Rot In UCDA Before Museveni
The President noted that UCDA was becoming corrupt and poorly supervised, with boards not being constituted on sound logic
#Ivan Kaahwa Reports
Just after the passing of the Coffee Amendment Bill, President Museveni addressed the nation in the company of Ministers, MPs, and Operation Wealth Commanders at State House Nakasero.
In his address, Museveni stated that the NRM had shifted focus from dealing with colonial cash crops, such as tea, tobacco, and tourism, which were primarily commercial.He emphasized that many more crops have been introduced into commercialization as cash crops, in addition to the initial colonial cash crops.
The President said that the focus on commercialization has led to an increase from 2 million to 9 million bags of coffee, tea production rising to 60 million kgs, and tourism growing from USD 132 million in 1970 to 1.2 billion dollars.
Government is committed to adding value to coffee to increase revenue from USD 2.5 million to USD 25 million – USD 40 million, all while creating more jobs. Uganda’s economy was worth USD 3.9 billion in 1986 and has since grown to USD 55 billion, expanding at a rate of 6.3%.
The President noted that Uganda has attained the Low Middle-Income status, with a GDP per capita standing at USD 1,154.Museveni stated that those against the rationalization of government agencies are enemies of progress, revealing that Uganda’s population has reached 46 million. He noted that each adult person requires 2,000 calories per day, meaning 550,000 metric tonnes of wheat are needed annually to feed the population, at a cost of USD 380 million, all of which is imported.
He emphasized that Uganda has both natural and human resources, which will be used to transform the people.
Regarding UCDA and UNRA, the President explained that these were temporary measures put in place at the beginning of the NRA government. The President justified the dissolution of agencies, stating they were created temporarily because of the lack of funds to pay public servants. These agencies were meant to be funded well to implement projects focusing on particular efforts.
From the interaction with Operation Wealth Commanders, it was observed that UCDA lacked the capacity to monitor the coffee sector. For instance, UCDA had only one field officer responsible for monitoring four districts, working with sub-county field officers. While some members commended UCDA’s work, others criticized its operations.UCDA was faulted for misappropriating government funds and using coffee seedlings for political campaigns.
The beneficiaries would not receive the seedlings.In Gomba, a whistleblower revealed that trillions of shillings had been swindled and asked for protection from the President. The whistleblower further stated that the accounts, auditing, and legal systems at UCDA were an inconvenience, with accessing the UCDA boss being more difficult than going to State House.
He also revealed that over 80 people were demanding government compensation because they never received the seedlings. Some veterans requested the President to support the army in the transformational trajectory of the economy. President Museveni acknowledged that some agencies and authorities had either done little or no work, attributing this to incompatibility. He observed that UCDA was dissolved due to corruption and a lack of capacity to reach a larger population.
UCDA was also criticized for duplicating the work of ministries and being run expensively. He exemplified that 3,905 persons in agencies were using 2.2 trillion shillings in 2016, while 80,000 public servants were using 2.6 trillion in salaries and wages.
The President noted that UCDA was becoming corrupt and poorly supervised, with boards not being constituted on sound logic. He observed that agencies cannot have an adequate network to conduct extension work. He emphasized that UCDA does not do certification, while the Ministry of Agriculture certifies all agricultural products, including international certification, since UCDA’s certification is not internationally recognized.
He reiterated that now that government workers are paid, they will be monitored by UPDF standing orders.UCDA had only 55 field officers in the country, rendering it a duplication, ineffective, and expensive. The agency was not necessary from the beginning because it did not focus on developing planting or raw materials. He stated.UCDA does not do propagation, promotion, or safety work. The President commended NRM MPs for ending parasitic agencies that consumed so much money. He added that the 1.5 trillion shillings saved by rationalizing government agencies will be used to tarmac roads in Myanzi, Kasanda, Bukuya, Kiboga, Masindi, Mpigi, Kasanje, Nakawula, Kazo, Kyegegwa, Karuguuza, Rukungiri, Kabingo, Rugaga, Rakai, Jinja Budondo, Kanungu, Kamuli, and other areas.
He also stated that it was criminal to tribalize the efforts rationalization, adding that he would punish those involved politically and legally. Regarding the high coffee prices, the President explained that this was due to drought in Brazil and other countries, emphasizing that Uganda was not responsible for the high prices.
He encouraged farmers not to flood the coffee market, as oversupply could lead to price drops. He advised farmers to diversify into other crops as well, emphasizing the importance of embracing the 4-acre model.
