By Patricia Osman
The ruling National Resistance Movement Government has boasted of achieving 62% implementation of its 2016-2021 manifesto.
This was revealed by the Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda while launching the NRM manifesto week running from 9-23rd May under the theme Taking Uganda to Modernity through Job Creation and Inclusive Development.
This Sunday May 12 will mark three years since President Yoweri Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) assumed the mantle of leading the affairs of the State and Government following the February 18, 2016 general elections.
During this week the party takes stock of what has been achieved so far, the challenges encountered, steps being undertaken to address those challenges, and the roadmap to accomplish the remaining tasks.
While addressing the media at the Uganda Media Center, the Prime minister also leader of government business Dr. Rugunda says three years into this term of office, the NRM party is on course, making steady progress, to achieve the targets they set together with the people of Uganda and as a party they are convinced that with the momentum so far generated, they are set to achieve most of the targets in the Manifesto in the remaining 2 years.
Dr Rugunda points out some of the successes so far achieved including commissioning of Isimba Dam, revival of Uganda airlines, commissioning of the neonatal and women specialized hospital, commissioning of the Nile Bridge and Entebbe express high way.
Others are industrialization, where he boasts of how the party Chairman Yoweri Museveni has over the past months been seen launching and opening several factories that produce goods ranging from food products to agricultural inputs and other essentials.
He says besides producing goods and services, these industries employ many Ugandans, utilize local raw materials and pay taxes into our national treasury.
In the education sector, Rugunda says money was mobilized and Government policy of establishing government aided secondary school for each sub county is on target.
The NRM is also continuing to prioritize investments in agriculture as the backbone of the economy with provision of pesticides, seedlings and extension services to farmers.
“The recruitment of extension workers in particular will provide farmers with the knowledge and skills to handle their activities professionally and with a business mind.
Through Operation Wealth Creation, seedlings of cocoa, citrus, tea, mangoes, oranges and apples have been distributed,” he said.
“Good work is also being done on increasing coffee production. For example, coffee exported has grown from 3.5 million bags last year to 4.1 million bags to date, bring in USD 490 million, “he added.
All is not rosy however as the Prime minister said they are faced with some challenges in implementing of the Manifesto.
“Delays in acquisition of land for flagship projects across sectors is a big challenge. Compensation is expensive and sometimes delays project executions hence derailing the efforts of those that would want to invest in different sectors, “said Rugunda.
He also singles out corruption adding the fight has now been upped by the re-enforcement of the recently establishment State House unit led by Lt Col Edith Nakalema.
Ugandans should wait anxiously as in the course of next week, different sector Ministers will be informing Ugandans about what is happening in their dockets in line with the Manifesto.