Vision Reporter
27 October 2009
Kampala — PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has criticised the ban on polythene bags.
"We must study this carefully because there are too many contradicting stories. Plastic, like steel, is a base industry and goes in almost everything," he said.
Museveni was on Monday meeting members of the board of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) led by their chairman Kaddu Kiberu, of Peacock Paints, according to a statement issued by State House yesterday.
Under the Finance Bill passed by Parliament recently, the importation, local manufacture, sale or use of polythene bags shall cease with effect from March 31, 2010.
The ban on the importation of used refrigerators, freezers, computers and television sets will also come into force on the same date.
During the meeting, the President directed ministers to involve the private sector in policy formulation to avoid miscommunication and to encourage smooth implementation of government programmes.
The President assured the manufacturers of the Government's commitment to provide cheaper energy.
He added that the country would use its own resources to fund infrastructure including energy, roads and railway.
"We can use our own money including part of the $300m (about sh558b) on the energy fund. Part of this money is already being used for a feasibility study on Karuma," he said.
"We can also use NSSF to invest in the energy sector and produce an additional 700mw of power. Within the next three to four years, the energy sector will be transformed."
Museveni promised to continue the fight against the theft of drugs and government funds.
He reiterated his discontent with the Courts of law for allowing people facing such charges bail.
On counterfeits, the President warned that individuals or industries dealing in such goods should have their products confiscated and be fined three times more the value of the goods.
Museveni also discussed various issues, including the relevance of vocational skills in today's market, the problem of attitude towards work by graduates, creation of industrial parks for value addition and waste management.
The UMA board was meeting the President to discuss concerns on trade and development ahead of the signing of the Common Market Protocol by the presidents at the Heads of State Summit on November 20.
The agreement will pave the way for free movement of goods, labour, services and capital in the East African Community.
The structure of tariffs under the EAC, non-tariff barriers by member countries, delays in the allocation of land for industrialisation at Namanve and illegal manufacturers were tackled.
The high energy costs, transportation, water and access to loans, were also discussed.
The meeting was attended by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of East African Affairs, Eriya Kategaya, energy and minerals minister Hillary Onek, energy state minister Simon D'Ujanga and investments state minister Aston Kajara.
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