Badru D. Mulumba
12 September 2002
Kampala — Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor Louis Kasekende (Ph.D) yesterday broke the silence surrounding his new job at the World Bank.
But he did not commit himself on when he would leave for Washington, saying that he was still waiting for a briefing from the Finance minister Gerald Ssendaula.
¡§I feel challenged, but I also feel honoured by the appointing authority in appointing me at this stage of my career.¡¨
With those words, Kasekende summarised his mood hours before Ssendaula disclosed to The Monitor that he had already submitted Kasekende¡oes name to replace Richard Kaijuka at the World Bank. Kaijuka, Alternate Executive Director for 23 English and Portuguese speaking African countries was due to become full Executive Director in October.
¡§I submitted the name the other day,¡¨ Ssendaula said. ¡§The closing date was Sept. 9, today is Sept.11, so we were on time.¡¨
Ssendaula had on Tuesday described Kaijuka as a great friend.
¡§He is a great friend of mine. I am not shy about it,¡¨ he said. ¡§I have been with him since„mI don¡oet even remember the year.¡¨
Ssendaula also said that Kaijuka could sue any one who says he took a $10,000 bribe from the Norwegian power firm, Veidekke, that was bidding to build Karuma Falls dam.
¡§These are just allegations. Nobody has proved them and, by the way, he can sue anyone who says that he took a bribe,¡¨ said Ssendaula.
Kasekende said that government has ably responded to the challenges that have been posed, when asked about the challenges of going to the World Bank at a time when news about Uganda at the bank is bad.
¡§I have no doubt,¡¨ he added, ¡§government will continue to address any residual issues relating to the issues raised by the press, but they will not pose personal challenges.¡¨
Kasekende said that the message he will take to the World Bank is ¡§that African countries are serious in addressing the constraints to development.¡¨
He will also take a message that African countries are seriously implementing macroeconomic policies that will benefit the poor; ¡§and finally, that African countries are not just a basket case but are serious partners in development.¡¨
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