Kampala — UGANDA scored highly in economic growth, conflict resolution, poverty reduction and decentralisation, according to the African Peer Review Mechanism report.

The country review report launched by President Yoweri Museveni yesterday at Hotel Africana in Kampala noted that Uganda had over the last 20 years emerged from economic decline, conflict and repressive governments to a relatively free society.

The peer review comprises leaders of the African Union member states as a self-monitoring mechanism.

Uganda was reviewed on June 29, 2008 in Egypt. President Yoweri Museveni attended and defended Uganda.

The report noted the decline in poverty from 56% in 1993 to 31% in 2006, and political liberalisation shown by free media and civil society.

Other gains include macro-economic stability and high economic growth rate, reputable institutions of learning, rising school enrolment and combating HIV/AIDS.

The report listed nine best practices of Uganda which should be emulated by other countries like the prompt handling of election petitions. "The Judiciary handled all election petitions following the first-ever multiparty elections of 2006," it observed.

On macro-economic management, the report cited a strong GDP growth of 6.3% between 1990 and 2007; reduction of poverty to 31 % in 2006; containing inflation and growth in investments.

It also praised the setting up of the Uganda Investment Authority to encourage local investors and the Uganda Parliamentary budget office to advise on the budget process.

Other achievements, the report said, were Universal Primary Education.

"The President's pioneering role in Africa in recognising the pandemic and its effects, speaking out publicly, helped mobilise the nation," it noted.

Although the economy grew, the report said the transformation was not structured and poverty and inequality are rampant.

It said Uganda's landlocked position raised the cost of doing business and that the establishment of democracy had slowed down "to a point of reversal".

It cited uneasy peace with neighbours, the need to modernise and transform the mindset of citizens to be innovative and entrepreneurial, and a high population growth rate. At 3.2%, Uganda has the world's third-highest population growth rate.

"There are twice as many Ugandans today as there were 20 years ago, and there will be twice as many by 2030," the report said.

"Uganda has the world's youngest population, 56% under 18 years, and a high fertility rate of 6.9 children per woman. It challenges government's ability to provide services."

It called on the Government to address the management of the political transition to full-fledged multi-partyism. It said liberal multi-party democracy had been reduced to elections other than empowerment of Ugandans.

"Uganda needs to exit from monolithic politics which stifles diverse voices, without reverting to ethnicity and tribalism," the report said. "The ruling party and the opposition need to embrace a democratic culture based on civility and cooperation."

It recommended respect for the rule of law, the reduction of donor dependence and noted the need to resolve the land question.

"Diminishing size of land held by the poor and controlled by a few, displaced minority groups; tenants facing eviction due to absence of land tenure security, limited land rights for women, lack of information in the land registry and controversy over the Land Amendment Bill suggest urgency of land reform," it said.

It highlighted the need to resolve the northern conflict where 1.7 million people have been displaced.

Also critical, the report added, was the need to address incidences of tribal and regional divisions, which it said created a sense of institutionalised discrimination.

The report decried corruption in procurement, privatisation, public expenditure and delivery of public services. It called for reduction of dependence on external aid, which it said could weaken the government.

As a solution, the reviewers recommended increasing domestic revenue mobilisation while reducing fiscal deficits, improving infrastructure and strengthening oversight institutions.

Responding to the issues, Museveni said in a speech that most of the challenges related to underdevelopment and capacity constraints.

"The Government is addressing these issues within the limitations of resources, although some will take a long time. Some patience of Ugandans and our development partners will be required," he said.

The President directed the National Planning Authority and the finance ministry to integrate the review's plan of action into the national budget.

"These are actions of a committed leader, a leader who takes governance and democratic processes seriously," Museveni said.

NRM's commitment to good governance, he added, was manifest in the content of the report which documented all the voices of Ugandans without being censored.

"In some countries, including those more advanced than Uganda, their citizens may not express their independent view without consequences. Western countries that are always criticising our democracy should give credit to the NRM," he said.

"For government to effectively govern and take responsibility for its actions there must be respect for human rights and rule of law to guarantee security of persons and property, a reliable Judiciary and conducive economy for business.

"I ably defended our good policies, including the actions we have taken to ensure peace and security of all Ugandans and within the region," he said.