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The National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto implementation unit in the office of the president has highlighted high levels of corruption, a limited resource envelope for development projects, and delays in land acquisition as key challenges heavily affecting the implementation of the 2021–2026 manifesto.
The challenges, according to the Director Manifesto Implementation Unit, Willis Bashasha, are slowing project implementation, thus affecting the performance of a number of sectors.
Other challenges include the high cost of doing business, the high debt burden, and the transitional challenges of the program approach to planning.
After two and a half years of manifesto implementation, the mid-term review findings indicate that the government has achieved 35% of the commitments within the manifesto, and 46% of the commitments are ongoing.
19% of the commitments have not commenced.
The current score is an improvement from the previous score that was computed in May 2023 and placed the level of achievements at 20%.
“In total, we have around 577 commitments that were put across different thematic areas. 35%, we have been able to deliver effectively; 46% is work in progress; and 19%, we have not touched,” said Bashasha.
The slow implementation of the manifesto has also been blamed on the adverse effects of COVID-19, which negatively affected the economy, and the passing of the anti-gay law, which affected foreign funding, yet some of the manifesto commitments require heavy financing that may not be met by domestic resources.
However, Bashasha noted that achieving 46% of the commitments that are currently under implementation would constitute a good scorecard for the manifesto.
“35% plus 46%, you can see if we were able to deliver this; if we concluded the 46% in the remaining period of the term, that would give us some 80%, and that would not be bad for the country,” he said.
THEMATIC AREAS
The 2021–2026 NRM Manifesto is implemented under five thematic areas, which include: job and wealth creation for all Ugandans; education, health, and water; justice and equity; protecting life and property; and economic and political integration.
Under thematic area number one (job and wealth creation for all Ugandans), Bashasha said 16% of the commitments have been achieved, 40% are in progress, and 44% are not yet implemented.
“Employment: Under the presidential initiative on Skilling the Youths in Uganda, 12 of the 19 industrial hubs in Mubende, Kyenjojo, Mbarara, Mbale, Kween, Napak, Kayunga, Masindi, Gulu, Zombo, Kasese, and Lira were launched, and 2,650 learners graduated in January 2023.”
“On the external front, a remarkable 68.5% surge in export receipts led to a narrowing trade deficit, with the EAC emerging as the principal market for our exports, underscoring the significance of regional trade dynamics. Earnings from commodity exports amounted to US$ 3,769.0 million in the first half of FY 2023/24, up from US$ 2,236,4 million realized in the same period the previous fiscal year.”
Regarding the performance of the Parish Development Model (PDM), which has been named the special purpose vehicle and the key flagship project for the NRM manifesto, Bashasha said, “To date, 10,585 SACCOs have been established across the country, and a total of UGX 1.085 trillion has been disbursed to over 10,500 SACCOS, benefiting 1,032,183 people countrywide. As of October 2023, 97% of the sampled beneficiaries had received PRF (97% through commercial banks). The PRF disbursements to final beneficiaries averaged 84%.”
“The evaluation findings revealed that the majority of beneficiaries of PDM are female (55%) and male (45%). Of these, special interest groups like youth (29%), elderly (13%), and persons with disabilities (7%) are also considered beneficiaries in the PDM.”
Under the education, health, and water sectors, 34% has been achieved, 58% is in progress, and 8% is not yet implemented.
Under this sector, Bashasha said, the Student Loan Scheme has shown a consistent commitment to supporting higher education.
In FY 2021/2022, Shs. 6.1 billion was disbursed to 1,535 loan beneficiaries, including 1,115 undergraduate students and 300 pursuing undergraduate diplomas.
Additionally, the rehabilitation of Mandela National Stadium in Namboole is 72% complete, while Nakivubo Stadium is completed.
Under the health sector, the government completed the construction of NMS stores at Kajjansi.
“This will enable a reduction in drug stockouts.”
The government also upgraded the physical infrastructure of the Uganda Heart Institute and constructed the regional cancer centers in Gulu, Mbale, and Mbarara.
The government has also undertaken renovations on 16 of the 37 health centers, and these have been renovated with theaters and wards.
“Specifically, renovations of Gombe General Hospital (completed), Busolwe Hospital, Kambuga Hospital, Kotido HC IV, and Kyegegwa HC IV have been upgraded to general hospitals,” Bashasha said.
“Furthermore, the country contained the spread and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring that 83% of the population had received a dose of COVID-19, with 53% having gotten the second dose. The ebola outbreak was contained in a record of 69 days.”
Under thematic area number three (ensuring justice and equity), Bashasha said 22% of commitments have been achieved, 76% are in progress, and 2% have not commenced.
Under thematic area number four (protecting life and property), 37% has been achieved, 41% is in progress, and 22% has not commenced.
Under thematic area five (economic and political integration), 20% has been achieved while 80% is in progress.
“In a bid to foster cross-border trade, development, and security, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed an intergovernmental agreement in May 2021. The signing included project development agreements for the development of cross-border roads. Under the project, 223km of roads were supposed to be built, i.e., from Kasindi to Beni (80 km). Beni-Butebo axis (54km), and from Bunagana border town to Goma,” Bashasha said.