Namutumba: President Yoweri Museveni has threatened to fight corrupt government officials whom he says have ruined government programs.
Officiating at the International Labour Day cerebrations held in Namutumba district under the theme: “Promoting positive works, culture and ethics,” President Museveni lashed out at civil servants whom he described as parasites sucking Ugandans.
“We have got two enemies, corrupt politicians and civil servants. These are the ones interfering in your future. I am going to fight them and you will hear the vibe,” Museveni said.
He said corrupt politicians have discouraged investors by asking for bribes and delaying decisions that can bring about development in the country.
“I am going to set up a unit in my office where investors can ring directly if anybody asks for a bribe or delays decisions like that group at URA who intercept goods of traders and ask for bribe to charge less. I have those reports but you will know what will happen to you,” Museveni said.
He said his government has stabilized peace and ensured good policies attracting investors to come to Uganda. He cited the policy of returning Indian property to them which he said motivated several Indians to come back to Uganda.
The President said investors and some Ugandans have created 10 million jobs, adding that Labour Day cerebrations should focus on how many more jobs can be created. Museveni said the Parish Development Model (PDM) can create more jobs if implemented well.
“When I was in Nsanga on Women’s Day, I told you if you implement seriously the PDM, we shall be creating 70 million jobs,” Museveni emphasized. He said PDM puts emphasis on agriculture which he says can create about 10 jobs per homestead with an acre of land.
“Through agriculture alone, we can make more jobs than the population of Uganda,” he said. Gender and Labour minister, Betty Among Ongom, decried the unethical conduct of Ugandan workers which she says are costing the country heavily.
She said government continues to strengthen institutional framework of accountability in the Inspector General of Government (IGG), Auditor general, Police, Judicially and Parliament, Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) to handle unethical conduct of government officials like evicting people using fake land titles.
Museveni used the same platform to decry Uganda Development Bank (UDB) over delays in issuing loans to farmers, saying this hinders development in the country.
Last year’s 2022 National Labour Day celebrations was at Kololo Independence Grounds where the President advised Ugandans to eat “Mwogo” if they can’t afford bread and rice. This was after skyrocketing prices of commodities in the country
