2 December 2008
editorial
Kampala — Uganda plans to consult regional leaders on how to proceed with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) dilemma.
LRA chief Joseph Kony reneged on yet another promise to sign a peace deal at the weekend. Clearly the man is not interested in peace but is on an ego trip, fed by the high level dignitaries who are trooping to his lair and the glare of world attention.
Northern Uganda's economy has not seen the growth enjoyed by the rest of the country, a factor that prolonged the conflict. All the people need is a sliver of peace to get back on their feet and return to productivity. The spectre of Kony is preventing them from realising their full potential.
It is the right thing to do to consult widely on the situation, seeing as the LRA's activity cuts across borders, but let us not twiddle our fingers any longer.
Let us put an end to the Kony menace once and for all. Spend World Bank $200m well.
The finance minister, Dr. Ezra Suruma, has said the Government is set to borrow $200m from the World Bank to shore up the Poverty Eradication Action Plan.
The money is earmarked for primary education, primary health care, rural feeder roads, hydro-power generation, water and sanitation and agriculture. Every single coin we get to fight poverty is welcome. And it is right and fitting that the funds are targeted at the rural areas where poverty is more endemic.
It is, therefore, to the benefit of the majority that these funds are utilised properly. The Government should ensure that the money is marshaled in support of programmes with robust strategies, manned by competent dedicated officers executing viable plans. The money is not for buying four-wheel drive vehicles or fitting out lavish offices or for per diems.
The Government should focus on the outcomes of the project rather than on the inputs to ensure the money is spent to the benefit of the intended beneficiaries.
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