Tighten your belts, says Uganda’s new budget

June 13, left Ugandans bracing themselves for the impact a range of taxes the minister of finance, economic planning and development announced in the 2013/14 budget. The taxes are meant to close the gap donor aid cuts created. The donors cut foreign aid to Uganda protesting runaway corruption in public offices. In the end, the government has decided to burden the tax payers. It means more pain for Ugandans, as the Observer newspaper reported. 

Minister of Finance, Maria Kiwanuka, introduced new taxes on international phone calls, mobile money transfer charges, gambling, and restored value added tax (VAT) on hotel accommodation, wheat and flour, domestic water, etc. Taxes on fuel increased by shillings 50 and on kerosene by shillings 200. 

Uganda's Minister of Finance Maria Kiwanuka

The shillings 13 trillion (about $52 billion) budget, of which shillings 2.3trillion goes to the Works and Transport Ministry, takes effect this July. A new financial year for Uganda begins in July. As a tradition state governments plan their expenditure and income estimates for the year. For the 6^th year running East African Community countries read their national budgets for the financial year (FY) 2013/14 on the same day.

Those buying new cars and motorcycles will dig deeper into their pockets for an extra shillings 200,000 (about $80) and shillings 250,000 (about $100) respectively for vehicle registration number plates. 

My friends who feed on chapatti and beans (locally known as kikomando); which is common food for low income earners), those eating rolex (chapatti rolled on fried eggs), bread, etc. well tighten the belts, the 2013/14 budget introduced an 18% valued added of on wheat and flour. The tax on wheat means prices of bread and wheat related products will rise.

It gets even worse when more tax on fuel has been increased. An increment in fuel tax in this country means increasing the price of nearly everything. First, transport fares will be hiked. Second, traders will use this as an excuse to increase commodity prices. The farmer who is transporting the wheat and other crops to the market will justify his price due to high cost.

Already traders have been bemoaning the high cost of doing business in the country. It will get even higher. Given that Uganda prides itself in a Laissez-faire economy everyone will pretend all is normal.

Today’s newspapers’ reports about the budget seem to complain about the tax hikes. Daily Monitor screamed Tax-heavy Budget, the New Vision led with a headline: Budget, and then put kickers highlighting new taxes and allocation per sector.

For government the shillings 13 trillion budget makes it happy since it will be financed 81% by Ugandans. And, for the citizens, it is a call to work harder in face of tough financial times ahead of the implementation of this budget.

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati

Uganda Gov’t lifts ‘siege’ on newspaper, but will it remain the same?

After 11 days of Uganda Police siege at Daily Monitor, which published a letter that rubbed the powers up there the wrong way, government has agreed to open the newspaper. The reopening of Daily Monitor, has been announced by the outgoing internal affairs minister, Hillary Onek. 

The letter written by Gen David Sejusa (Tinyefuza) alleged that top government officials opposed to plans to have President Yoweri Museveni’s son succeed him were on the assassin’s list. Gen Sujusa is out of the country reportedly in London and police will question him when he returns.

But, the reopening of Daily Monitor comes with strange terms. The terms that the newspaper's parent company Nation Media Group, management agreed to are neither here or there. This is because terms that Onek read out are akin to the journalists’ ethical code of conduct. Does this give the impression, on government's side, that Daily Monitor violated this ethical code? Is what we are reading the public face of the deal? 

Well, in the events leading up to this announcement, several closed door meetings had taken place in Kampala, Nairobi and Addis Ababa. And, soon we'll have details of what exactly happened in these closed door meetings.

Police officers manhandling some of the journalists protesting media closure

However, what is clear in the statement Minister Onek just issued is that apology Daily Monitor managers gave to government. “They (Monitor Publications Ltd managers) highly regretted the story that led to the closure of the Monitor newspaper and KFM and Dembe Radio stations,” says Onek in a statement.

It seems in the eyes of Uganda government Daily Monitor violated the ethical code of conduct. This is curious because fewer governments are comfortable with independent press. On many occasions president Museveni has not hidden his frustration with Daily Monitor which he severally labeled an “enemy newspaper”. Therefore it was less surprising that his government acted angrily shutting down two newspapers and radio stations in the name of national security. 

For now, it's too early to tell how Daily Monitor will be affected by the siege and the terms of opening set by government. But the fate of the Red Pepper, another newspaper closed over its coverage of the same letter, is not yet known. Government has said it is having a meeting with the Red Pepper.

Much as the lifting of  the police siege at these the media houses comes as a relief to the industry and well-wishers, it has, without a doubt, had a chilling effect on many newsrooms in the country. Many editors may switch to self-censorship mode to play it safe. There is the example of CBS FM, a Buganda Kingdom owned radio station which was closed in 2009 for a year. Hopefully, Daily Monitor comes out of this circus even stronger. 

Below are some the terms Monitor management agreed to with the government of Uganda.

When a messenger becomes the target in Uganda

May 20, marked a dark day in the recent history of Uganda’s media. Two daily newspapers, Daily Monitor and Red Pepper and two radio stations Kfm and Dembe fm were closed down as police searched their premises for a letter allegedly written by a high ranking Uganda soldier calling on the state agencies to investigate claims of assassination of government officials opposed to a succession plan that would allow President Yoweri Museveni’s son to take over the presidency. Museveni has been in power since 1986.

Daily Monitor first published Gen. David Sejusa’s (also widely known as Tinyefuza) letter on May 7. The following day the commander of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, who the letter alleges is one of the assassins’ targets, castigated Tinyefuza for using a wrong forum to disclose such allegations. Other government officials including the Minister of Defence denied there is such a succession plan.

Days before the May 20 police raid, Daily Monitor journalists had been questoned by the police to reveal the source of the story on Gen. Tinyefuza's letter. The journalists refused to give their source citing the law. Media houses get news tips from sources who should be protected always to maintain trust.

Instead of investigating claims raised by Gen Tinyefuza (Sejusa) letter, the Uganda police are busy turning newsroom drawers upside down. Doesn’t it defeat logic that you should even search for a letter whose author has admitted authoring? In any case, the content of the letter is already public knowledge. Why search for source of original letter? Is there something that meets more than eyes can see in this Gen Tinyefuza letter affair? And above all, why stop media operations because you’re searching for a mere letter for over 72 hours and counting?

One of the Uganda journalists protesting police raid on Monitor newspaper

Media experts have argued that the police are instead abusing the law to close down media houses under the pretext that they are crime scenes. In the first place, the same government dismissed Gen Tinyefuza’s critical letter as not serious and not worth giving attention. But the actions of the same government on media houses tell a different story.

The closure of media houses is inflicting huge costs on their business standings. More importantly, it sends a chilling message to the press that “watch out we are powerful and can shut you down and the state will continue running normally”. Isn’t this abuse of state power? This is intimidation of the media.

Save Kalangala's gems

My first trip to Kalangala islands in the last week of April this year was marked by anxiety and huge expectations. Kalangala is Uganda’s only district that is located in Lake Victoria. I felt anxious because I am always averse to traveling on water because Uganda’s water transport facilities are not that fully developed. Nevertheless, I was duty-bound to make a first to Kalangala. But, at the end of it all the trip turned out exciting and loaded with several surprises. 

Days before the trip, I had heard several stories about Kalangala and the island communities. Getting to Kalangala is mainly by water through Entebbe or Masaka. There are two ferries (ships) and speed boats that are ready to transport people to Kalangala. It was a great moment sitting down in MV Kalangala ship for 3hours from Entebbe to Kalangala catching a glimpse of beautiful scenery of forested lake shores. There are also boats connecting Kalangala’s main island of Bugala to other 76 inhabited islands. Fishing is the main economic activity in this area although people are diversifying to oil palm farming.

After sailing across Lake Victoria, Africa's largest fresh water lake, for at least 3 hours, finally MV Kalangala ship landed at the stunning Bugala island, Kalangala.  The sight of the evergreen forested shores of Lake Victoria gives Kalangala a beautiful, serene, natural and evergreen look. And, if you are looking for quiet and freshness from the bustle and irritation of dusty Kampala city, Kalangala is the place to be.

Part of the scenery that welcomes you to Bugala island in Lake Victoria. PHOTO by Mubatsi A.H

In here, lies a huge tourism potential which Ugandans should market so well. The peace you find in Kalangala especially contributed by beautiful views of the shores of Lake Victoria is unbelievable. It’s a perfect get away for personal reflection. The pretty white sand beaches are an epitome of Uganda’s beauty at its peak. Kalangala is a gem of sorts that should protected by all Ugandans.

Undulating forested lake shores make an eye catching sight. The scenic view of the gently sloping hills bordering Lake Victoria provides a tip of the beauty that lies within Uganda. Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest fresh water lake. It is also a home of a delicious fish species called Nile perch. Most beaches and resorts in Kalangala can’t afford to miss this fresh fish on their menu.

It was my first time to eat roasted tilapia fished from Lake Victoria. But the bad news from this lake is the rapidly dwindling fish stocks and threat of pollution from mushrooming factories in towns surrounding Lake Victoria. Already the fisheries department has recorded a drastic drop in fish catches. The leading reason for declined fish stock in the lake is overfishing fueled by use of illegal gear that indiscriminately catches both big and young fish. This indiscriminate fishing denies the lake resources to replenish for sustainable future use.

Also the massive oil palm growing venture between government and private investor, BIDCO, in Kalangala district can’t hide from a probing eye. Much as the oil palm investment is reported to be improving household incomes of out growers, it continues to draw divided opinion because it pits development against conservation. Already, an estimated 10,000 hectares of natural vegetation (grasslands and trees) on the main Bugala Island have been cleared to give way for palm oil growing. The conservationists are very worried about the impact this cutting down of lake shore natural forest will have on the future of Lake Victoria.

Indeed, several environmental studies have widely blamed Lake Victoria’s increased water pollution on the use of agrochemicals that BIDCO sprays on oil palms to enhance growth on the plantation.

Environmental activists argue that although oil palms have boosted some people’s finances, Lake Victoria, its ecosystem and the promising tourism industry are the biggest losers.

Activists say the beauty of Bugala has been battered and the lake is getting silted because some oil palm farmers cultivate up to the shoreline. There is an urgent need to balance environmental and development concerns in order to save the gems of Kalangala islands.

Mubatsi Asinja Habati

What next for expelled NRM ‘rebel’ legislators?

Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party top administrative organ, the Central Executive Committee (CEC), has cracked the whip on dissenting members of parliament expelling four and suspending one. In a weekend CEC meeting, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, party executives resolved to expel the four youthful legislators who have been perceived as too critical of most party policies and positions on service provision and governance matters.

The expelled MPs include Theodore Ssekikubo, Wilfred Nuwagaba, Barnabas Tinkasimire, and Mohammed Nsereko. CEC accuses the legislators of malicious propaganda, decampaigning official party candidates in recently held by-elections, and working for foreign interests in oil and gas affairs. The accused MPs deny the accusation arguing they work in the interests of Ugandans they represent in parliament.

Expelled MPs: Niwagaba, Tinkasimire and Ssekikubo (Getty Image)

NRM’s secretary general is chest-thumbing that the action leaves the expelled MPs anonymous in parliament and his party will see to it that they lose their parliamentary seats. But this is just one side of the story. The expelled MPs are also petitioning the High Court over the dismissal.

Technically, their dismissal means they will lose their places on parliamentary committees because the committees are constituted basing on party considerations. They will, however, remain in parliament as legislators. Lawyers say there's no provision in the constitution that makes an MP lose his seat after being expelled from a political party.

The Constitution which is the supreme law in Uganda says one automatically loses their parliamentary seat if they cross to another party. These legislators technically are still the official representatives of their constituents until, NRM petitions the Speaker to kick them out. Trust me they won't just go down without a fight.

Last evening I was at the chambers of one of them and he was buried in files, making frantic calls to save his neck and those of buddies. But one thing is certain; they aren't NRM anymore as long as the expulsion stands. They reportedly violated the party’s internal code of conduct.

But again, when you come to think of it, NRM leaders should remember that when your child disobeys you don't just disown him because that worsens the problem. Dialogue has always been the key to building parties. You don't build parties by expelling whoever questions your actions. Otherwise, NRM, in my opinion, is building a mountain out of a mull-hill.

Clearly, the battle lines have been drawn. We are yet to see the winners and losers in the battle of beating errant party members into the line.

Mubatsi Asinja Habati

Smartphone technology excites my village

After a year’s absence from my village, last week, I took the road to Kibaale district, in mid-Western Uganda. The road from Kampala to my maternal village in Kibaale is very dusty and so bad. That road has appeared in 10 national budget speeches but it is yet to be upgraded to tarmac.

Apart from the bad road; which is almost a common complaint from travelers in other upcountry parts of Uganda, I was rather thrilled by the trappings of technological changes that are taking my village by storm. The proliferation of internet and mobile phone technology has somewhat changed the village when compared to the time I grew up as a lad grazing goats there.

Computer jargon like memory cards, Bluetooth and digital cameras on mobile phones is now widely taking root. Surprisingly, an army of my illiterate and semi illiterate-but-youthful village-mates are using this technology. Certainly, this cum-Smartphone technology is a new dawn in many other Uganda villages.

Thanks to the competition spurred by Uganda’s telecom companies; and of course, the flooding cheap Chinese-made cell phones on the market. A growing number of youth in my village now own cell phones with memory cards and cameras. Computer-familiar lingua like gigabytes, megabytes and kilobytes are now common in the village. 

Some of the smartphones on market. Getty Image

Retail dealers in mobile phones and their memory cards are making a kill in this village. The dealers are selling a 1GB memory card at Uganda shillings 40,000 ($15) yet one can get the same capacity memory card from Kampala’s street shops at Shillings 10,000.

Those who don’t have these “tech” mobile phones are clearing the shrubs to plant onions whose sales will bring the much needed cash to buy the ‘smart phone’ of sorts. As of now, the motivating factor to buy the cell phone with a memory card is loading and playing audio and video music which they use as caller ringtones and for entertainment.

For these youths and stylish old guys, it is a cool thing to have a phone with memory card and one that can access internet. They need internet for following the standings of the English Football premier league. The reason is to enable participation in sports betting (call it gambling) which is now spreading like wild fire across Uganda. Soccer enthusiastic youth spend most of their betting on which European football team will win the Champions League instead of farming or engaging in other more useful income generating activities.

A handful of youths in my village, who have had the enviable opportunity to acquire a Uganda Certificate of Education or college level of education, are using mobile phone internet to keep in touch with their peers on Facebook.  Hopefully, these social media ‘apps’ on cheap cell phones that almost work like those on Smartphones or iPhones will help ease access to information and make my people in the village appreciate technology even more. This will in turn help create an army informed citizens that will make informed decisions.

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati  

Uganda: A case where Gov’t is yet to make its healthcare attractive to all citizens

By Mubatsi Asinja Habati

In April last year, Daily Monitor, one of Uganda’s daily newspapers reported that the country was spending at least shillings 380 billion ($150 million) annually to treat top government officials abroad. Never mind that this bill is picked by the poor Uganda tax payers. In the news article the President was reportedly alarmed at this wanton expense and was asking his ministers to cut down the cost. But that seemed to be another rhetoric.

Ugandans appear to be accustomed to seeing their leaders and their leaders’ relatives fly out of the country seeking medical care for simple cases like giving birth as the majority poor are turned away from government-run hospitals for lack of basic medicines and absent health workers. Recently, two cabinet ministers Eriya Kategaya and Hillary Onek were flown out of Uganda for specialized medical care.

The question on many Ugandans’ lips was: why can’t the government build hospitals that can handle these cases at home? The current government has been in power for the last 27 years but when its top officials and the privileged rich Ugandans fall sick the best they can do is to board a plane to Nairobi, South Africa, India or Europe in search of better hospitals. 

The pursuit for answers to this question led me to Uganda’s Ministry of Health. Currently, the Uganda government has over 1,400 health centre II units, 800 health centre IIIs, 154 health centre IVs, 70 general district hospitals, 13 referral hospitals and 2 national referral hospitals.  Much as it is important to appreciate this contribution to the health sector, more needs to be done.  Most of these health facilities have no medicines and insufficient medical staff; and the few who work there are underpaid and sometimes delayed to be paid their meager salaries. 

On January 28, I had an interview with the permanent secretary in Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Dr Asuman Lukwago, about what one would cynically call medical tourism for government officials who fly out of the country to seek specialized medical attention. In Uganda’s civil service hierarchy, a permanent secretary is the chief accounting officer in any ministry. And, ordinarily, as is the norm in Uganda today, a civil servant of Dr Lukwago’s calibre should toe the line and defend actions of the government he serves. But that’s not the impression I got from Dr Lukwago’s responses. He seems concerned that too much money is being spent on medical attention abroad when many of these ailments could be handled domestically. 

On average government spends $50,000 (shillings 130 million) on a single government official flown out of the country for treatment. This excludes money for air tickets, hotel and other facilitation. Sometimes additional $30,000 can be given as an addition to allow the patient seeking medical care abroad and their care givers to acclimatize themselves with the new environment in the new country.

Dr. Lukwago says some people seek medical attention abroad because they lack knowledge that such cases can be treated here. He says Uganda now has minimum capacity to treat many of the cases that are referred abroad. He cites Uganda’s capacity to carry out open heart surgery, etc. He says Uganda’s TB reference laboratory at Mulago has been voted as the best in Africa.

He argues that the ministry is embarking on sensitization of public on what the health sector has available in order to reduce referral cases abroad. But, he says, some of the people cannot be denied going for treatment abroad because if they die, they will blame it on you.

“This is a bet really because you can say should we allow them to die. The answer is no. but government is moving in to cut down these costs by limiting the number of people seeking medical treatment abroad,” says Dr. Lukwago. “Government wants only serious cases referred abroad. We want some of this money spent here. In 2 years we should be able to reverse this. We are putting up a specialized hospital at Entebbe to handle cases like cardiac arrest and the cases seeking treatment abroad will be limited.”

Clearly, there is also a need to build an internationally attractive hospital. With better hospitals and well-motivated medical personnel we would mitigate the brain drain and now health tourism that is bleeding this country. 

Other countries have health insurance cover for their citizens whether poor or rich such that whenever they fall sick they all access same medical attention. Rwanda is doing this and it is reportedly paying off. In Rwanda a medical board decides who flies out of the country for medical treatment including the poor. Maybe if we started medical insurance for all Ugandans here, the poor would perhaps feel less betrayed.