By VOM News Team
As the country comes to terms with the abrupt changes caused by the World Bank Group and its decision to halt any new financing to Uganda, a section of Legislators from Kisoro district have commended the Government for standing firm and not giving into the pressure from the ‘powers that be’.
It is exactly one week since, the World’s most important financial and economic development institution, said in a Statement that it can no longer support the “longstanding and productive relationship” with Uganda because of the Anti-homosexuality act 2023 which contradicts the World Bank Group’s values.
The statement, according to the East African demands that, Uganda provide an adequate policy to protect minorities, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other groups commonly categorized as LGBTQ+, If they wish to see the World Bank unfreeze funding to Uganda.
Over 6.7 trillion shillings, under the World Bank Portfolio dedicated to Uganda to improve urban infrastructure, electricity distribution, Climate Smart agriculture, water and Sanitation among others is likely to stop, unless President Museveni agrees to make adjustments in the law, making it more inclusive and freer from discrimination.
Bufumbira East Member of Parliament, Hon. Dr. James Nsaba Buturo says western powers are quick to punish countries with less superior technology and economies with sanctions in a bid to keep them in line.
Dr. Nsaba Buturo, however notes that it is them (western powers) that deserve the sanctions from the African continent because they have plundered the rich resources for their personal gains.
“I am greatly pleased with the recent developments because Ugandans as a people have got intrinsic Social, Cultural and religious values that cannot be eroded because they say so”, Nsaba Buturo explained.
Buturo urged communities to deeply internalize the changes that are taking place and remember to choose leaders wisely so as to stump out corruption that has become so deeply rooted in Government.
According to the Corruption Perception Index 2022 by Transparency International, Uganda is the 142 least corrupt nation out of 180 countries.
Bukimbiri County MP Eddie Kwizera Wagahungu said more than 40% of the Country’s National Budget is likely to be affected however Ugandans do not need to worry because the country is well endowed.
Kwizera says the Country is steadily becoming more industrialized with more young people acquiring skills to operate machine and others attaining more practical education to anticipate and solve the country’s problems.
He strongly decried the high rate of corruption among public offices that needs to be checked if the country is to be self- reliant.
Kwizera further advocated for the merger of Government agencies that have over the years, simply been duplicating work and no service delivery is felt on the ground.
Mr. Kwizera further urged the people of Kisoro to demand for transparency from the leaders especially on Government projects including tea where Government has spent a lot of money to ensure nursery bed operators are able to live a life free of poverty and obscurity.
Former parliamentarian for Aruu County, Political philosopher and environmentalist Samuel Odonga Otto, recently took to social media to lay out a plan on how Uganda can survive without the World Bank Group.
His anecdote to Uganda’s dilemma included cutting the number of Ministers and MPs in the Country.
He further recommended that Presidential advisers with their monthly salary, allowances and fuel be scrapped completely.
Kisoro Municipality MP Paul Kwizera Buchana said the World Bank funding is vital for the completion of major projects in the municipality that include roads, which had already been benchmarked, awaiting release of funds.
According to Mr. Buchana, the impasse between the World Bank and Uganda needs to be resolved so that funding is not affected.
Media role in the Discussion.
Journalists in Kigezi region were recently taken through a lecture on reporting patriotically on all issues concerning Uganda.
As the western world advances its agenda, through foreign media news outlets, painting a picture that Africa is a continent in need of dire saving, it is imperative that Ugandan Journalists use the sweeping wave of change to promote Uganda and all its capabilities.
Reporting objectively on issues concerning corruption, governance and security are important for the Ugandan Journalists to maintain credibility and relevance with the audience.
Researching widely and maintaining Confidence in being Ugandan before being anything else will help the Media to build up what is broken and to restore hope for future generations to come.
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