URA’s inaugural Open Minds’ Forum

The Motion for URA’s inaugural Open Minds’ Forum at Hotel Africana’s Nile Conference Hall in January 2008 was: “It is the Sole Responsibility of Government to provide an enabling Business Environment”. The Chairman was New Vision Chief Robert Kabushenga (who went to China for studies on 1 June 2008)

1. Elly Karuhanga defended the motion of the debate: “A poor man cannot sleep. Neither can the rich man because the poor man is awake. At the age of five years, every Japanese child is told (by the government) that if you do not work hard, the world will consume you and you disappear on this island.”

2. George Egadu, had a contrary view, “Does government know the challenges of discharging this responsibility and does it have the money, time, expertise and commitment to deliver? Does government realize that it needs help? [‘Sole’ means one and only, single, not shared] Conditions and facilities in a changing world: “Umeme is the Most Irritating Factor (in our economy) .Government has no vested interest to continuously build quality infrastructure. During Chogm, the government needed to involve the private sector mutually. Business friendly laws…Government can only facilitate. I submit that there are other relevant players…URA has only managed to collect 15 % of the GDP; Uganda Police helped by armed security guards; Banks and micro-finance institutions help government policies concerning ‘Bonna Bagaggawale’ schemes. Perception of corruption reduces government’s capacity to facilitate an enabling environment.

[The guests or August House was asked to join the debate for 20 minutes if adequately provoked: Someone remarked, “The government is like a stomach (A combining factor). Legs move to look for food and the hands put the food in the mouth…”
Another asked, “Can the private sector really be successful without government facilitation?”
Norah, an old girl to the Debate Chairman (Kabushenga confessed that she was academically bright at school) educated the audience, “There are three major players; the President mentioned four days ago in this auditorium that the two most important are the consumer and investor. I would like to add a third: the taxpayer. We need to have accountability for how government uses the taxpayers’ money…”
A different guest complained, “Government supports scientists more than businessmen in the university. (Ineffective government distribution of resources)”
Omar Kassim, National Chairman of UCIFA (Uganda Clearing Industry & Forwarders Association) said,“The government can be equated to a tree top. Charity begins at home. Government comes from within ourselves. So where are the roots? Within ourselves, and the taxpayers make up the roots.”
Eric Ouma said, “The government provides the lead and the private sector provides the backbone. The percentage of taxes collected is not optimum and government cannot provide facilities entirely. We are in the same boat and need to hold the oars to row the boat.
There was time for a powerful note of wisdom from a senior citizen. He commented, “Many good ideas off topic; Government needs partners but it is their sole responsibility: provide donors, makes sure investors come, roads are present…How the responsibility comes out is another matter.”

3. Hon. Nandala Mafabi (Shadow Finance Minister) proposed, “When they tell you that you should lead, then it’s a responsibility. Government must create policies to facilitate the private sector…Government can borrow from the public through treasury bills and bonds…In Uganda, the biggest problem we have is corruption. URA is collecting but wastage is high. Government has the role to ensure that the environment is enterprise-friendly…Research and Development, Policy implementation, Democracy is important, Insecurity must be dealt with…”

4. Patrick Bitature, owner of businesses in Nigeria and Uganda including the Protea Hotel and famous for bringing the MTN franchise to the Pearl of Africa is the son of the late Paul Bitature enjoying government solidarity. However, he opposed the motion basing his articulate opinions on truism. It’s a simple fact (that government has a responsibility) but “let off the hook by the word ‘sole’, an ugly word. It’s very obvious that government does not do business. It is the private sector that is good at business. It is not their main responsibility.” He elaborated on PPP (Private Public Partnership): “Top – Down Thinking is rubbish (A Successful private sector brings lasting peace and productivity). This is private sector led growth. Where has government fallen short of our expectations? As our country matures, that can be done by our private sector. There were days when garbage collection was the role of government…Snail paced education system… pyramidal structure where few are adequately trained for the business environment. We are not aggressive and competitive, Poor work ethic…We have to nurture this private sector and build PPPs. SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises) do not last 5 years, do not document their mistakes and accounts. People are relocating to Dubai and Canada, why? Failure means loss of jobs. How many jobs does government provide compared to the private sector. Jobs allow people to feel useful and makes a country an important player in the market…Mindest change…Need for creativity and innovation to survive in the modern world but without productivity, we are at a great loss…First, opportunity is the proliferation of ICT, Energy and Electricity (Makes failure become success), Harness Oil industry, Tourism and Conference hub, Food basket, High Value exports e.g. flowers…Awaken from your slumber. Aren’t you tired of hearing the word potential, potentially Uganda?”

Hon. Baguma Isoke, the first speaker in the Second Part of Responses from Guests said, “To the list of makers and breakers of the economy, I add the Press. Traditional cultural leaders can attract or scare away investors (Making land available); Religious leaders (Ugandans are backward and superstitious); Professionals (Academia, thinkers, philosophers, economists). What holds the economy stagnant? Propose a way forward. We need new thinkers. This is not the responsibility of government alone. Political parties have a role to play, think out Plan B instead of only A.
Flavia who spent over 20 years living and working in the UK advised Government to create policies that entice the Diaspora, “Diaspora should be the first to be considered as investors. China has turned its economy around by involving their Diaspora…”
Mr. Kamjira, Chairman LC V Mbarara said, “I need to emphasize that it is not the responsibility of government alone. The government is not going to do the thinking for us, it can only facilitate.”
Patrick, who described himself as a growing mind commented, “This is what we have always lacked as Ugandans. I would like to liken Uganda to a father with a big family and a teacher. You might do everything you can but not as much as required. Ask not what Uganda has done for you, but ask what you have done for your country!”
A Macos old student said that Ugandan youth with creative minds need the help of a parent and teacher.
Harriet Wandira, SDV Logistics in Nakawa added, “The motion would be practical in developed countries. We lack faith, trust and commitment. To trust the government, we cannot do that now; we have to work in partnership.”
Evon Corretta said, “I would like to be told, how do I break into the business? I do not fancy 9 to 5 desk jobs. We need to take advantage of the youths in as far as the economic battleground (is concerned).” The Forum’s Chairman Robert Kabushenga chipped in and joked that ball possession was now 73 % but he was not going to mention which side had it. I bet it was the Opposers, though it might have fallen to 56 % later. “Prior to 1986, there was no business environment. Being found with foreign currency was an offense. It is the sole responsibility of the mother to bring you into the world and everybody else takes over. If you are 40 and an MD of something but haven’t done anything for yourself, you need to leave the job for the young…Two way…”
KACITA spokesperson Issa Sekitto remarked, “…Very sensitive subject. Some stakeholders may have a role to play but the capacities of companies are limited. You create opportunities, government destroys. You create opportunities, government unfairly distributes them…”


Final remarks from the four panelists beginning with the last presenter:
Patrick Bitature concluded, “If you abdicate your responsibility, you will have failed us. The youth should rise up and be counted…”

The politician Nandala ended, “Rules to be applied should be put up by government. Government provides a level playing ground. Like in a football game, there has to be a referee…”

Mr. Egadu finished with these words of power, “The word ‘sole’ makes the motion impractical.” He went ahead to give an anecdote about a young boy who failed to pronounce a certain word at school and the mother punished him by not giving him food until he learnt how to say it correctly. When he finally got it right that same night, the boy went to the master bedroom to prove his linguistic improvement and found his parents consummating their marriage. He said to himself, ‘The father screws the mother and the children go hungry.’ Mr. Egadu boldly related this to Uganda, “The government screws the country and the people go hungry. The motto of URA says ‘Developing Uganda Together’ and together, we shall do it…”

Hon. Karuhanga concluded from where he started: talking about being blunt like a Mukiga, “George Egadu is more blunt than I am … Government brought back kingdoms. Shops were returned to Asians, Government provides environment for free trade, Military respects the gun…Mr. Bitature would have no money if government had not liberalized the telecommunications industry…”

URA boss Allen Kagina was also at the high table and gave her speech before Mr. Kabushenga dismissed the gathering. Basing on the show of hands, the Opposers won the (debate) ‘Cup’, “the Private Sector also has a responsibility in supporting government…”