President Yoweri Museveni has been presented with the Development Champion and Peace Award by a Public Opinions Organization led by Adam Luzindana Buyinza, for his peace efforts in Uganda and the region.
At a colourful ceremony held at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Friday night that was attended by several investors and the business community, the President said he was happy to receive the award which he dedicated to all freedom fighters.
On November 19th 2019, the Deputy President of Kenya, William Ruto declared President Museveni a peace and development champion.
Several investors were also presented with the 2019 Uganda responsible investment awards including Agric Business Initiative, Aponye Uganda, Bank of Baroda, Master Engineering, Salt TV and Pearl Dairies. Hon. Evelyn Anite was recognized as the most performing Minister.
The 2019 high-level Uganda responsible investment summit and award gala was held under the theme: How Government can partner with the private sector to promote responsible investments for industrialization and job creation.
“This award is not for me as an individual. It is for the freedom fighters. I thank Deputy President William Ruto for recognizing our contribution. The changes in Uganda are not by accident. We are just starting. The size of our economy is US$ 35 billion and it has grown by about 20 times since 1986. NRM is a systematic organization. For the first time in 500 years the whole of Uganda is peaceful,” he said, adding “it is only under the NRM that we have been able to establish peace in the whole country”.
He was pleased to note that many investors were flocking into Uganda because of peace and liberalization.
He said that Uganda has experienced an economic growth rate of 6.5% for some good time and that government has addressed the issue of electricity by building a number of hydro-power stations with Karuma dam expected to provide energy at a rate of 4.8 US cents per unit.
He assured the investors and Ugandans at large that Ayago dam would generate 840 megawatts of power once it is complete.
President Museveni revealed that the Government was preparing to embark on nuclear energy generation when it exhausts the available hydro-power potential on River Nile.
On the issue of transport infrastructure, the President noted that while this was still high especially for the import and export sector, government is due to start building our railway line that will lower the cost of transporting goods from Mombasa to Kampala.
The President said while travelling to Luwero District recently he noticed that Lumansi swamp had been encroached upon.
“These people must get out of the swamp. Uganda is very competitive in the agro-industry and whoever attacks our water is our enemy,” he said.
On the industrialization progress, he said that so far 49 industries have been commissioned in Namanve Industrial Park and 112 were under construction. He said that the target is to have about 500 factories in Namanve. He reminded the investors that the industrial parks need low cost housing estates nearby to accommodate workers.
He criticized people promoting sectarianism along religious and tribal lines and urged them to focus on regional integration instead.
He was happy to note that Uganda today is the leader in supplying the regional market with goods. He said that Uganda currently exports goods worth US$ 500 million to D.R. Congo and US$ 600 million to Kenya per annum.
He saluted Mzee Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya and Mzee Ali Hassan Mwinyi of Tanzania who worked closely with him leading to the revival of the East African Community. He said that this has led to a bigger market that has enabled our growth.
The State Minister for Privatization and Investments, Evelyn Anite, congratulated President Museveni for scooping the Development Champion and Peace Award.
The President of Uganda Law Society, Simon Peter Kinobe, saluted President Museveni for having enabled Ugandans to live in an era of excess supply of commodities. He said that Uganda has become a supplier to East and Central Africa.
He thanked the President for enabling them to work for the rule of law. He assured him that they would not tolerate those who block our development.
The Country Director of Public Opinion of South Sudan, Paul Dale Gum, said that President Museveni and Uganda Government have played a leading role in the promotion and maintenance of security in the region.
He said that by providing security, President Museveni has enabled investors to come into East Africa.
“We are celebrating you as an icon of champion of peace not only in Uganda but in Africa. Your contribution speaks volumes for solving post elections conflicts in Kenya, peace in Somalia, South Sudan and D.R. Congo,” he said. He invited him to address the youth in South Sudan.