Government should encourage Vocational Trainings in order to produce Job Creators other than Seekers

Having a bigger number of ministers in the country does not imply the returns we are likely to get; it only goes with individual commitments to provide services to citizens. For example the Rwenzori sub region has had 5 ministers in the last cabinet compared to 7 ministers in this new cabinet but some have been in parliament as leaders and we know how they have performed may be the expectation should be to the new appointees.

These were words from Johnstone Baguma  Kumaraki, the executive director Toro Development Network  while analyzing the 2016/2017 national budget on 11^th June,2016 during the ‘‘Listeners’ forum’’ program that is aired live every Saturday 8:00pm-10:00pm on HITS FM.

Johnstone Baguma Kumaraki, executive director ToroDev

Mr. Baguma K. Johnstone said citizens can be attracted to embrace the budget if it’s going to change the state of service delivery and if there are signs of transforming citizens from the level of poverty to at least a middle income level where there is increased income at household level ,otherwise citizens may not be interested in knowing and understanding the budget.

‘’The focus should be much on health, education, Agriculture and infrastructure development, this year’s budget is 26 trillion compared to 24 trillion in 2015/2016 budget hence having a bigger budget does not mean improved and quality services because our money has lost value and as a country we import more than what we export which keeps our money value low because of operating on a dollar’’, said Johnstone. The government should be credited for increasing the budget for infrastructure development because the produce we have will be transported to markets but now we have to fight for quality produce other than quantity to compete with other countries at the world market.

Meanwhile Emmanuel Tugume the former district councilor representing Kasenda sub county while discussing live in studios said, quality production should be encouraged by government so that our people are able to produce items that compete globally. The government should also invest on things that help Ugandans like fighting unemployment through changing the education system from studying to pass to vocational trainings, supporting farmers to produce quality products and increasing tourism funding because it is one of the sectors that bring much revenue to the county.

The two (2) hours live radio discuss had participation of listeners through call-ins and Sms platforms;

 ‘’ The government should change the curriculum in schools to help children study what will help them in future other than studying to pass exams’’, said Chris Amanyire a caller from Kicwamba, Kabarole district, ‘’we pray that with this increased number of ministers the money allocated to improve service delivery will be used as planned’’, said Mr. Byaruhanga Charles a caller from Mpara, Kyegegwa district, ‘’the increased number of ministers means suffering of tax payers because of increase salaries and allowances, it is difficult to do something you have failed to do in 25 years’’, said Wycliff a caller from Kyegegwa district.

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