‘Orukurato’ analyzes President Museveni 2013 ‘State of Nation Address’

On June 8^th, 2013 the ‘orukurato’ analyzed President Yoweri Museveni state of the Nation address focusing  on the major policy and governance issues which can ensure improved livelihoods for the local citizens. The Orukurato live talkshow held every Saturday (08:00 – 10:00pm) on HITS FM, Fort Portal and broadcasts issues of accountability is supported by ToroDev.

The program which is moderated by Gonza William, hosted Mr. Johnson Musana (Advocate of the High Court & FDC Chairman, Kabarole), Mr. John Byabazaire (Citizen/Businessman in Fort Portal), Mr. Gowan Yakubu (Lawyer & NRM PRO, Kabarole) and Johnstone Baguma Kumaraki (ToroDev).

Mr. Musana expressed dismay that, the president avoided, talking about real issues affecting the local citizens. He also said that the president also avoided speaking about the security thread of the country, including the current intrigue in the UPDF. Mr. Musana said that corruption was still a threat in Uganda and that the president chose not to speak in detail how his government is handling the scourge that is taking away 500 -700 Billion Shillings every year.

Mr. Byabazaire on the other hand, expressed dissatisfaction that the president has not accounted for the 10 trillion the parliament gave his government last year in budget. He said people in agriculture were still stranded without serious help and no market for their produce. He said programs like UPE and NAADS were becoming useless and that the next budget should focus on how to improve them.

Mr. Gowan Yakub said that the president has a mandate to address the nation at the close of every financial year and that that duty is given to him by the constitution of Uganda. He must account for the nation. He said however, that the president has a choice to speak about the issues that he feels are important to the nation to hear, as his wisdom directs him.

Mr. Baguma on the other hand, appreciated the governments increased investment in energy and infrastructure sectors and ensuring peace and security which are critical areas necessary for the growth and development of the country.

Baguma appealed for more reforms in certain government projects like the Students’ Loan scheme for tertiary education since it will be hard to pay the loans back since unemployment rates are hight in Uganda with statistics showing that 40,000 graduates every year and only 8,000 get employed. He also appealed to the president to reform the government Sponsorship and State House Scholarship Scheme to cater for the poor students since most of the beneficiaries are from the well-to-do families who study in prestigious schools like St. Mary’s Kisubi College, Kings College Buddo, ST. Mary’s Namagunga, St. Mary’s Kitende, etc.

On Agriculture, Baguma said that Uganda is still under average in budgetary allocations to the sector. It is allocated less than 5% yet 80% of Ugandans depend on the sector. He also said the Maputo Declaration urges African governments to allocate 15% to annual budgets to Agriculture sector development. Lastly, Mr. Baguma agreed with Mr. Musana that the president did not thoroughly address the problem of corruption in his speech.