President Museveni yesterday assured Ugandans that the economy of Uganda has withstood the economic recession a point that has attracted criticism from some members of opposition who accused the president of hiking the figures to confuse Ugandans. However, during his State-of-the Nation address the president referred to his critics as “doubting Thomases who want to first touch the scars to believe.” The president said that despite the global economic crisis that has been adverse on many economies around the world, “Uganda’s economy is alive and well.” Provisional data by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicate that the Uganda economy has continued to grow at a robust rate of 7.0% per annum, despite the global economic crisis. The president attributed this to diversification of Ugandan economy to the export and service sector. On energy the president said, “I pointed out that I cannot accept Uganda to continue being part of the suicidal and rather unserious schemes promoted in Africa.” All the rivers in Africa have the hydro-power potential of 456,630 megawatts. This is not enough to power a modernized African society of 1.3 billion people by 2015. The present plans and talk are mere jokes. We need real seriousness. Cheap energy and transport will mean lower costs of doing business in Africa and, therefore, more competitiveness. President Museveni yesterday assured Ugandans that the economy of Uganda has withstood the economic recession a point that has attracted criticism from some members of opposition who accused the president of hiking the figures to confuse Ugandans. However, during his State-of-the Nation address the president referred to his critics as “doubting Thomases who want to first touch the scars to believe.” The president said that despite the global economic crisis that has been adverse on many economies around the world, “Uganda’s economy is alive and well.” Provisional data by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics indicate that the Uganda economy has continued to grow at a robust rate of 7.0% per annum, despite the global economic crisis. The president attributed this to diversification of Ugandan economy to the export and service sector. On energy the president said, “I pointed out that I cannot accept Uganda to continue being part of the suicidal and rather unserious schemes promoted in Africa.” All the rivers in Africa have the hydro-power potential of 456,630 megawatts. This is not enough to power a modernized African society of 1.3 billion people by 2015. The present plans and talk are mere jokes. We need real seriousness. Cheap energy and transport will mean lower costs of doing business in Africa and, therefore, more competitiveness.
