Last week, the opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party emphasized that the welfare of the citizens should be the primary focus of the State of the Nation Address. The party expressed hope that the upcoming 2024 budget speech will clearly address the nation’s direction and prioritize improving the general welfare of the people.
Party spokesperson Arach Oyat Sharon highlighted issues with the President’s recent address, particularly his statement about the surplus milk production and the directive for schools and parents to provide daily milk to students. Sharon pointed out that many people cannot afford milk, causing public uproar.
She suggested that to make milk more accessible, the government should establish farms with high-yielding breeds, good pastures, and proper animal husbandry practices, including routine vaccination.
Oyat also criticized the low government funding for Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE), which she said negatively impacts the quality of education, producing poorly educated students. She noted that the learning environment is unsuitable for both students and teachers, who face inadequate salaries and poor working conditions. Many teachers and parents struggle to afford school fees due to rising costs.
UPC reiterated its call for the government to harmonize teachers’ salaries and extend the special treatment given to science teachers to arts teachers as well. Sharon stressed that with the current economic challenges, all teachers face similar socio-economic difficulties. She also called for increased funding for UPE and USE programs.
Regarding the health sector, Oyat criticized the reports of expired drugs being destroyed amidst drug shortages in health facilities. She called for a functional health system where medical staff are well-paid and provided with adequate living conditions, including accommodation within medical facilities.
Oyat also touched on the need to reduce the tax burden on manufacturers and traders, urging rapid industrialization to boost domestic production, use local raw materials, and create employment opportunities. She advocated for supportive loans with reasonable interest rates to prevent high costs and inflation, suggesting the restoration of key traditional institutions like Uganda Commercial Bank and Uganda Cooperative Unions to foster economic progress.
In summary, UPC’s message to the government is clear: prioritize the citizens’ welfare in policy-making, address educational and health sector issues, support domestic production, and create a conducive economic environment for all Ugandans.
