President Yoweri Museveni has punched holes in the brains of his ministers, accusing them of being selfish and sleepy, which he says affect potential investments in the country. Speaking during the 6th Presidential Investor Round-table meeting at State House Entebbe, president Museveni stressed that they only mind about themselves and their personal interests. His comment […]
President Yoweri Museveni has punched holes in the brains of his ministers, accusing them of being selfish and sleepy, which he says affect potential investments in the country.
Speaking during the 6th Presidential Investor Round-table meeting at State House Entebbe, president Museveni stressed that they only mind about themselves and their personal interests.
His comment followed statements by the State Minister for Agriculture, Christopher Kibazanga in response to concerns of investors about Uganda’s agricultural sector and value addition.
Mahmood Hudda, the Managing Director of Mayirye Estates Limited, which exports flowers, had proposed that the ministry shifts its policy from small to large scale farming that requires establishment of green houses, irrigation and modern farming methods, adding that Uganda has a lot of opportunities of adding value to things like coffee, avocado, passion fruits and others to grow its economy.
In his response, Kibazanga promised to come up with a cabinet paper recommending that avocado becomes one of the country’s strategic crops,but quickly added that the agriculture sector is private sector driven and that government could only carry out research and extension.
Kibazanga’s remarks however, angered Museveni who accused him of wasting time.
“Many of these ministers are selfish, they think about themselves. If you don’t listen, then you are negative. You try to cover up your ignorance,” said Museveni.
Museveni rubbished the minister’s statement, saying it doesn’t add up. “The ministry apart from research and extension regulates the sector. Saying that the sector is private led… I think this should not even go on our record. What the minister is saying doesn’t add up.”
Hudda further pinned Kibazanga’s ministry, saying he had written several letters and concept papers on different matters without any response. Museveni agreed with Hudda, noting that many people in the ministries are parasites.
“The people of Uganda have no problem. If you tell them to do that, they will do it, do this they will do it….There is no doubt that many of the people in the ministries are really parasites because they don’t do anything, they don’t give up positions for others and we call this parasitism. Am very glad that you’re seeing this.” said Museveni.
Asked by journalists why he doesn’t crack the whip and replace these sleep ministers, Museveni said that it wasn’t only ministers but also Ugandans who are not taking up opportunities and associating with the right people to grow the country.
