President Yoweri Museveni says the Government plans to reduce over-reliance on foreign aid.
Speaking last evening during his national address ahead of Uganda’s 61st Independence anniversary today, the President said Ugandans should, therefore, stop worrying when the West withholds their aid because Uganda can manage without them.
The President did not make any references during his speech, however, for many Ugandans, the announcement by the World Bank in July that it would pause project financing in Uganda pending a review of measures to protect what it called sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in its projects, is still fresh in the minds.
The bank’s move was in response to Uganda’s enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality law in May this year.
Museveni said the country doesn’t need most of these loans, adding that Uganda will continue working with the rest of the world, but on condition that other countries respect its sovereignty.
The celebrations are underway in Kitgum district as Uganda marks 61st years of Independence.
Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni has reiterated Uganda’s need to aggressively tackle corruption, noting that it is now the biggest encumbrance to the country’s development.
The President urged all Ugandans to take matters into their own hands and report the corrupt so they can be decisively dealt with.
He said the country has enough agencies to fight the vice but is stymied by the lack of support from the citizenry, which he says is the reason success against the vice is still eluding Uganda in its fight to eliminate corruption.
The President said corruption is now a big problem and is disturbing the implementation of government projects and also the growth of the private sector.
According to a 2021 report released by the Inspectorate General, Uganda loses 20 trillion shillings every year through corruption.
