KAMPALA– Outspoken Kabale cleric Rev Fr Gaetano Batanyenda has said that President Yoweri Museveni’s financial donations to different sections of the population will not contribute to the development of the country.
Cash handouts have long remained a critical feature of Yoweri Museveni’s local politics. And over the two last months, the President has dished out billions of shillings, especially to youth and traders in Kampala.
But Fr Batanyenda, who is also the chairman for Kick Corruption out of Uganda, a local advocacy NGO, said the President is wasting taxpayers’ money which he said should be used to support government health facilities, schools and increasing civil servants salaries for better service delivery.
He was addressing journalists in Kabale Town on Thursday. Several economists have warned the President over the continued splashing of cash without accompanied production of goods and services.
Mr Ramadan Goobi an economic analyst in September said the ongoing donation is very dangerous to country’s economy as it is likely to cause more macro instability.
“Macro instability offsets economic growth. The ongoing donations will consequently affect the country’s economy if this is not revisited,” said Goobi during a radio talkshow.
This he said if not stopped, Uganda is likely to suffer from unspeakable inflation. Also Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu also known as Bobi Wine on Monday in a press briefing lashed out to the President over the same saying that ghetto youths’ problems cannot be solved by Mr Museveni’s money.
“The act of the President [Yoweri Museveni] to distribute money to these youth is a sign that he is scared of People Power. Unfortunately bribing them with money will not change their mindset,” Bobi wine said.
He said that the youth have suffered for long and all they need now is proper functioning institutions and long-lasting solutions.
“It is unwise of President Museveni for spending big without addressing youth concerns,” Bobi Wine said
