The Chief of Military Intelligence, Major General James Birungi, has launched the languages wing and officially opened the Arabic and Chinese courses that will be conducted in partnership with the Makerere University School of Languages at the School of Military Intelligence in Nakasongola district.

Maj Gen Birungi lauded the Dean School of Languages, Makerere University for partnering with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces on the noble cause for the country.

“This is indeed an important milestone for the entire UPDF fraternity and the country,” said Maj Gen Birungi.

He observed that the course comes at a time when the new world order, globalization and advances in technology have brought new opportunities and challenges that require effective communication skills to avoid ambiguities and the possibility of being misunderstood and navigating through multicultural and intricate partnerships.

Maj Gen Birungi implored the participants to be focused and have a positive attitude to be able to harness as much knowledge as they can to succeed in the course.

 “This training will prepare you to become certified linguists on your job specification especially interpretation, translation, and being subject matter experts on cultural Issues, among others.”

Col James Muhumuza the Commandant of the School said that the course aims to produce trainees who can effectively read, listen, write, speak and translate.

He cited from the historical perspective the power of language as a power of unity in the Bible during the building of the Tower of Babel which the same was used as a defensive tool to disintegrate the people and save God’s kingdom.

The Director of the Confucius Institute – Makerere University, Dr Gilbert Gumoshabe expressed gratitude for entrusting Makerere University in the formation of the new language curriculum adding that there is a need for knowledge of other foreign languages besides English.

Stories Continues after ad

Members Parliament have expressed regrets over their decision to impose a tax on diapers, which they initially claimed were being used to promote homosexuality in Uganda and are now admitting that the tax has instead made diapers expensive for the elderly and people with disabilities who rely on diapers in order to protect their dignity in society.

In June 2023, Parliament passed into law the Value Added Tax Amendment Bill 2023, approving an 18% VAT levy on all diapers, despite the proposal from Government limiting this tax to only baby diapers that were described as a luxury, as opposed to adult diapers whose exemption was sought on medical grounds.

Although some MPs opposed the tax saying it would push women into spending more time in unproductive labour, or washing nappies, other MPs argued that adult diapers are mostly used by homosexuals, so imposing a tax on adult diapers would reduce homosexuality in Uganda. A decision was reached to end the tax exemption on all diapers, so 1st July, 2023, the cost of diapers went higher due to the 18% tax levy.

Flavia Kabahenda (Kyegegwa DWR) has noted, “On the World Disability Day in Mbarara, I realized that the people with hydrocephalus and spina bifida are living on pampers and these pampers have become expensive from the time we slapped a tax on pampers. I think we made a mistake as Parliament to impose taxes on diapers because we thought we would help parents to reduce use of diapers in order not to spoil their children, but we have discovered that there are elderly people who need to use diapers and there are also people with disability that rely on diapers in order to protect their dignity in society. So, I want to implore my fellow MPs to allow that we rescind the tax on pampers.”

Prosper Muhumuza, Commissioner in Charge of Disabilities at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, 12.4% Ugandans are living with disabilities and of these, over two million are children living with Hydrocephalus and Spina bifida and families of these children spend 39% of their income on caring for these children.

Rose Obigah (Terego DWR) asked MPs not to go back and forth with the diapers tax, arguing that the tax was imposed because diapers are a luxury & there was need to reduce their excessive use because diapers had started to impact on fertility of men in Uganda.

“People from Karamoja and my village (Terego District), they perform well, their fertility lasts longer but you see these men brought up in good homes, they have challenges with sperm count. It was on that ground that we wanted to reduce this excessive use of pampers. Diapers are a luxury, we would prefer to use nappies,” said Obigah.

Stories Continues after ad

President Yoweri Museveni has urged political, cultural, and religious leaders, private sector players, and civil society to comply with and support the execution of the fourth national census scheduled to take place in May.

The national census is scheduled to take place on May 10, 2024. Currently, Uganda is estimated to have over 41 million people. The estimates can, however, only be verified after the national census.

Currently, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) is conducting the geo-mapping of household and enumeration area boundaries for the creation of an interactive map that shall be used in the enumeration exercise. 

“I would like to announce the 6^th National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) that will start on May 10, 2024.” Museveni said.

Museveni said the information from the National Population and Housing Census will support the government, the private sector, cultural and religious institutions, civil society, and development partners in service delivery. It will also provide the basis for planning the provision of social services such as education, health, and transport, among many others, at the national and local level.

“When data collectors come to your homes during the census, please avail yourselves and provide them with honest answers to their questions. This is in order to enable them to process the most accurate information about you, your household, institutions, and community,” he said.

He noted that the successful execution of the census will influence the well-being of all Ugandans and progress the country towards the desired socio-economic

economic transformation.

Stories Continues after ad

The Minister of State for Finance, Henry Musasizi, has asked Parliament to waive off taxes to the tune of Shs13.313 billion owed by several individuals in the country.

Musasizi said the decision to waive off tax is in accordance with Section 40(2) of the Tax Liabilities Act. The waive-off tax comes at a time when the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has a deficit of over Shs1 trillion in terms of revenue collection, three months before the close of the financial year. 

The beneficiaries include Nkumba University, Makerere Business Institute, and businessmen Peter Lokwang and Donati Kananura, among others. 

Appearing before the Finance Committee, the MPs on the Finance Committee wondered how the list of beneficiaries increased from three to seven, contrary to an earlier list tabled before Parliament.

The list includes: income tax liability amounting to Shs239,306,340 owed by Makerere Business Institute; pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) liability amounting to Shs4,479,421,1902 owed by Nkumba University; and value-added tax (VAT) liability amounting to Shs2,718,116,5923 owed by J2E Investment Corporation. 

Others are VAT and Rental Income Tax amounting to Shs2,080,641,683 and Shs1,695,713,952, respectively, owed by Donati Kananura; Value Added Tax Liability amounting to Shs931,935,420 owed by Nicontra Limited; Holding Tax amounting to Shs385,145,772 owed by Peter Lokwang; and Pay as You Earn Tax amounting to Shs783,180,494 owed by Busoga University.

Stories Continues after ad

According to the most recent United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report, Uganda has met the criteria to graduate to a lower-middle income economy. The authors said the country had elevated its human development indicators across income levels, health, and education and reduced inequalities.

The highly anticipated 2023/2024 report, launched at Makerere University in Kampala, painted an encouraging picture of Uganda’s development trajectory. The country now ranks 159th out of 193 countries and territories assessed, a big jump from its previous ranking of 166th in the 2021/2022 report.

“In the 2023/2024 Human Development Report, Uganda has for the first time moved to the category of medium human development,” announced Ms. Nwanneakolam Vwede-Obahor, the UNDP Resident Representative in Uganda. “This is something we need to recognize and celebrate the progress the country is making on the human development front.”

A Multifaceted development journey

The UNDP report sheds light on several human development areas where Uganda has made notable progress between 1990 and 2022. During this period, the country’s Human Development Index (HDI) value increased by an impressive 67.2 percent, rising from 0.329 to 0.550.

One of the most notable achievements is the significant increase in life expectancy at birth, which rose by 17.2 years. The authors of the report attributed it to enhanced access to healthcare services, better nutrition, and targeted public health programmes implemented by the government.

Education has been another area of remarkable progress, with the adult literacy rate (ages 15 and above) climbing by 5.8 years during the same period. The report commends the government’s efforts to promote lifelong learning and expand educational opportunities, often in collaboration with private and charitable sector partners.

Economic growth and income levels

The most striking indicator of Uganda’s development strides is the substantial increase in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, surging by an impressive 153.1% between 1990 and 2022. This robust economic growth has been fueled by various factors, including increased foreign investment, diversification of industries, and the promotion of entrepreneurship.

According to the World Bank’s classification, lower-middle-income economies have a GNI per capita between $1,086 (Shs4.2 million) and $4,255 (Shs 16.4 million) as of 2023. Uganda’s achievement in crossing this threshold is a testament to the country’s dedication to fostering an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth.

Implications, opportunities, and policymaking

Attaining lower-middle-income status is a significant accomplishment for Uganda, as it signifies the country’s integration into a new era of development opportunities. This classification opens doors for increased access to international funding on more favourable terms, advantageous trade agreements, and enhanced cooperation with global partners.

“Uganda’s transition to the medium human development category aligns with an exciting message that I got a few days ago. The UN committee for Development Policy has announced that Uganda has now fulfilled the criteria for graduation from the least developed country to the lower-middle-income country category for the first time,” remarked Ms. Susan Ngongi Namondo, the UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda.

With its newfound economic status, Uganda will enjoy more favourable loan borrowing terms and grants from institutions like the World Bank, African Development Bank, and other multilateral development banks. This increased access to financial resources, coupled with an influx of international trade and foreign investments, is expected to support the country’s ongoing development and economic expansion in the coming years.

Of course, as with many nations in the medium human development category, Uganda must implement regulations to foster growth in sectors beneficial to public welfare while restricting potentially harmful industries. Just like they banned primetime TV ads for companies that sell cigarettes, promote alcoholic drinks, or allow citizens to demo roulette casino online, lawmakers will pass a raft of incentives to encourage development partners, private sector, and civil society organisations to help solve challenges outlined in the report.

Challenges and the road ahead

While the report highlights Uganda’s move to a higher economic tier, it also points to areas that require continued attention and strategic policymaking. Income inequalities and disparities in access to healthcare and education remain pressing concerns, as the top 10% of earners receive 35.7% of national income, compared to just 2.5% for the bottom 10%.

“We have the opportunity, as we move into that lower-middle-income category, to plan for it because it will cause short-term disruptions in the budget. Some things will disappear. So, we need to plan and make sure that we can adequately handle the move smoothly into lower-middle-income countries categories,” cautioned Ms. Namondo, the UN Resident Coordinator.

To address these challenges, the Ugandan government has pledged to increase investment in initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) to ensure no citizen is left behind. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja called upon all stakeholders, including government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, and the private sector, to join hands in addressing the issues outlined in the report.

“We must combat divisions and strengthen service delivery to address the common needs of our population and pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future,” she said. “As we work on this journey, let us draw inspiration from the progress we have so far made. As a country, we are remaining firm in our commitment to human development.”

As Uganda embarks on this new chapter, sustained efforts and strategic policymaking will be crucial to consolidating the gains made thus far and propelling the country towards even greater heights of development. The UNDP report serves as a beacon of hope, highlighting the vast potential for Uganda and its people.

Stories Continues after ad