CSO failing Legislation Decisions – Minister Bahati

By Stuart Yiga

The State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development-David Bahati has accused the Civil Society Organizations of failing government whenever any proposal is tabled in Parliament.

Speaking on how independent legislative decisions in Africa are, at the youths workshop that was held at Hotel Triangle on Wednesday under the theme, ‘African Solutions for African Problems,’ the Minister vividly added that the Civil Society Organizations have a habit of trading negative propaganda against their plans especially when it comes to making the legislation decision makings.

“A proposal comes but before it is discussed, the CSO jump on it and start sending wrong messages to the public until the population end up biased thus prompting the government to come out on the defence side,” Bahati said.

He cited out the issue of the homosexual bill which the CSO fought tooth and eye, to the extent of stopping a sovereign state of Uganda from debating it.

The minister also observed that in Uganda today, 68% of the households live in Substance economy which is still a big challenge among the youths; adding that through wealth creation, government is trying to change the status quo so as to boost the domestic revenue mobilization that will make Uganda an independent economy especially by prioritizing infrastructure development without relying on external funding to invest.

Meanwhile, the Minister defended the controversial land amendment bill saying it will save government from incurring unnecessary expenses like it was the case with Entebbe Express Highway, where shs.80bn was paid to the contractor on grounds of delaying the implementation of the project when the land owners had disagreed with the government valuer on the issue of compensation.

“In Tanzania, Kenya, USA, UK, land belongs to government, if there is a disagreement between the chief government valuer and the seller, what government should do in such a situation because should we stop the project, then the contactor also will demand money for the delaying the project,” Bahati lamented.

On the other hand, the Executive Director of Advocate Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE)-Dr. Arthur Bainomugisha warned the youths against under minding jobs after getting them. “Youths of today after getting a job, you find them in office while laying their legs on tables instead of being innovative and creative. Every generation has its generational responsibilities so, if we are to achieve vision 2040, youths should unite irrespective of their political ideologies and make sure that the available natural resources are well utilized without degrading the environment, weather since this may result into drought,” he said.