Kampala: Heads of Government Agencies and private sector associations have assured local and foreign investors as well as Ugandans in general, that elections will be held smoothly this week without operational or business disruptions.
Addressing the media convened at the State House Investors’ Protection Unit (SHIPU) in Nakasero, Kampala, the government and business leaders said all indications so far were that Ugandans would cast their ballots peacefully and return to normal business within hours.
Colonel Edith Nakalema, Head of SHIPU, who convened and hosted the meeting, said that following on the assurances of the Security Heads over the weekend, all Ugandans should be confident in the electoral processes and safety as they go to vote. “I wear two hats today of a Security person and a person deployed to protect the interests of investors, by virtue of this office. Protecting investors and their interests is essential to protecting the interests of Uganda, because all Ugandans benefit when our investment climate is not disrupted,” she said.
Col. Nakalema highlighted the call by security chiefs for all Ugandans to remain calm, be orderly, and follow the laws peacefully as they head out to vote on January 15th. “We should do everything with the protection of our beloved country in mind, which means all Ugandans should take responsibility for being part of that protection in the way we conduct ourselves as we go to vote, then return to our normal duties. The government departments and agencies represented here assure you that they will all continue to operate normally so that all our lives are not disrupted during this electoral process,” she said.
Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, Executive Director of the National Environmental Management Agency (NEMA) and Dean of Government Agencies, called upon all Ugandans to vote peacefully and maintain mutual respect of all views while avoiding hostility, violence or destruction of property.
“Our unity as a nation is far greater than any single contest or outcome. Peace and stability are the foundation upon which livelihoods, public services, investment, and national development depend. Each one of us has a responsibility to safeguard them. Acts like burning of tyres, for instance, damage the environment and come with serious punishments including a 15-year jail term under Section 163 of the National Environment Act, Cap 181, so I urge all Ugandans not to be tempted – the cost of doing wrong is too high for everyone,” he said.
Dr. Akankwasa emphasized that whereas elections took place once every five years, the country continues running, and asked everyone to choose peace over conflict, dialogue over division, and unity over discord, to protect Uganda’s democracy and the future of our nation.
Simon Kaheru, Chair of the East African Business Council (EABC) Uganda Chapter, said the media fraternity held the most important position of keeping the Ugandan and international public informed without sensationalism, fake news and incitement.
“You – the media – should be at your most professional during this period where tensions are high. Rely on fact, use the right sources, query everything that may be fake and avoid sensationalism so that you perform your role professionally. Do not be selective in your reporting; provide stories in full with the right context and perform your role of informing the public accurately,” he said. “The business community, including both local and foreign investors, rely on media reports as they make their current and future decisions, as does the government. You have a role to play in the decision to switch off the Internet, for instance, by ensuring you filter out fake news or information that incites violence or compromises the security of life and property,” he added.
Media and Public Policy Personality Alan Kasujja added that the media needed to take centre stage and present the realistic situation in Uganda as a whole. “The world will be watching and following what is going on here through social media but more so by following your reports on the different platforms. Focus on doing your job professionally and credibly so that everyone sees Uganda for what we really are,” he said.
Manufacturing will also continue uninterrupted, to ensure that economic activity is not hampered due to elections, which would cause product shortages and affect some incomes.
The Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Executive Director, Dr. Ezra Muhumuza Rubanda, said all industries will continue operating to ensure consumers maintain a stable supply of final goods and intermediate raw materials. “We shall ensure no scarcity so that prices of goods remain stable. We want people to continue working for daily earnings. As all Ugandans we have to ensure industries are not disrupted because most of them produce for exports and international concessions signed upfront don’t know our internal issues. We have to do our obligation to maintain export supplies. As manufacturers we have to protect our economic growth and the livelihoods of millions of Ugandans along many value chains, and we commit to taking that seriously in spite of elections,” Dr. Rubanda said.
Mulago National Referral Hospital Executive Director, Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, said hospital operations would continue to be fully operational during the election period, including the specialised sections the hospital is running. “We have made many significant advances over the years and are providing many ordinary and specialised services that will continue uninterrupted even during the elections. Our staff will operate in shifts as usual and will be enabled to go and vote without any of the health services we provide being disrupted,” she highlighted.
Tourism, meanwhile, will continue running as normal with many more foreign and local tourists continuing to flock to the national parks as well as various hospitality centres. Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kagwa said the sector is enjoying an ongoing surge of visitors all enjoying Uganda’s various offerings in spite of the elections this week. “The country remains fully open for tourism during the ongoing election cycle. Uganda has continued to enjoy a calm and stable environment across all tourism areas, including national parks, wildlife reserves, cultural sites, cities, adventure and hospitality establishments. Tourism activities are proceeding normally, with hotels, lodges, tour operators, attractions, and transport services operating without disruption,” she said.
“The government has put in place adequate security measures to ensure the safety of citizens and visitors across the country on the Election Day and we are working non-stop to ensure seamless visitor experiences across the country. Let’s encourage more visitors to “The Pearl of Africa” to proceed with their travel plans as scheduled without worry – Uganda should be enjoyed!” she added.
The Executive Director of the Uganda Development Forum (UDF), a development think tank focused on social economic transformation, Edward Katende, urged the media to be part of ‘Team Uganda’ and to play its role of responsible reporting to protect the country’s development agenda. “UDF focuses on the development of Uganda using a Team approach, and you are a key member of the team. We have had a successful 40 years in macro-economic stability, moving from a failed state in 1986 to one of the most stable economies today. We can’t go backwards now yet we are on track to be a US$500billion economy by 2040,” he said. “Using a soccer analogy, there is a UK Premier League team that many years ago changed their manager when they were on the right track and at the top and they have suffered ever since. As Ugandans we need to think carefully about this carefully. Elections will come and go as many have been in the past but Ugandans must make money, Uganda must develop and continue. The media should report responsibly, all Ugandans should behave responsibly and we should allow everyone to exercise their civic duty responsibly so we protect this country,” Katende said.
Ben Mwine, Vice Chairperson of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), urged the media to take a “bottle half-full” approach in order to protect the reputation and image of Uganda.“As broadcasters we must be Aware of our responsibility to the country by remaining factual and accurate in our reporting. We should also adhere to the guidelines that have been issued by our Regulator – the Uganda Communications Commission. We have an obligation to report positively about Uganda and to focus on the glass half full part of Uganda because it is the best way for us to develop as a country,” he said.
Osborn Turyasingura, Secretary for the National Secretariat for Special Interest Groups, said the Special Interest Groups were focused on ensuring that the advancements they have made over the years are protected. “Our gains as Special Interest Groups are very many, including our representation from village to national leadership levels; and our recognition and involvement in government programmes – which not many candidates in this coming election have put in their manifestos!” he said. He also highlighted the inclusion of special interest groups in economic empowerment initiatives like the Youth Livelihood Programme, Youth Capital Venture Fund, Parish Development Model and even national procurements under the Public Procurement Reservation Scheme where the Youth and Women have 15%for local Procurements and 30% for Central Procurements. “We are not shy to say we have Gains to Protect, and we believe that the environment is safe and secure for all of us to go to the ballot this week to cast our votes. We urge all Ugandans to turn out and we assure you that as a Secretariat we are mobilizing all Special Interest Groups to massively take part in these elections and vote for NRM government to protect the above mentioned gains,” he said.
