KAMPALA – The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has said the ruling NRM party still has a long way to go in leading the country to economic prosperity and respect for human rights.
Addressing the Lukiiko at Bulange, Mengo, on Monday, Mayiga said whereas the ruling party is better off than the past regimes of Idi Amin and Milton Obote, it has not done much when compared to the number of years it has spent in power.
“The truth is that in many ways, NRM is far better than Amin and Obote, that’s true. If one doesn’t know, he has not studied history,” he said as he gave his remarks on NRM’s 33rd Liberation Day which was celebrated at the weekend.
“When you want to make comparisons, compare with better people. Obote was a failure. We have to compare with better people, not Obote and Amin. Uganda must be compared to nations with which it matched economically (in the 1960s and 970s) such as South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia or Vietnam,” he added.
The Katikkiro said whereas the Asian economies, which were at the same level with Uganda in the 1960s have improved economically, Uganda is still experiencing poverty and unemployment.
“NRM still has a long way to go, fighting poverty among grassroots communities and job creation. NRM must improve education, its human rights record and fighting crime,” Mayiga said.
The Kitikkiro also criticised the President’s approach to fighting corruption and called for independence of anti-corruption units.
“The Kabaka wants corruption culpable individuals to be prosecuted,” he said.
