The National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) party has urged stakeholders to prioritise transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making in public health and governance matters.
The remarks were made during a press conference where NEED party leaders were addressing the media on Monday, March 11, 2024, at their party headquarters in Rubaga, Kampala.
The leaders of the NEED party said that addressing transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making challenges requires concerted efforts to tackle corruption at its roots, ensure fair treatment for all citizens, and foster trust in democratic institutions.
Godfrey Setumba, the NEED National Organising Secretary, said that government sustainability is greatly aided by corruption, saying that President Museveni purposefully utilises corruption to harm the opposition and the NRM in order to hold onto power.
He added that the party condemns corruption in all its forms and calls for accountability at the highest levels of government.
“As NEED, we condemn corruption in all its forms, we are addressing systemic issues rather than merely treating the symptoms of corruption. We call attention to the need for accountability at the highest levels of government,” Setumba said.
Matovu Salongo, the NEED Spokesperson, expressed concern over the decision to impose the ban on the sale of meat in Kampala and institute a quarantine on the movement of cattle, goats, and pigs in and around Kampala as directed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) following “allegations” of foot and mouth disease in Kabowa, Lubaga Division.
“What’s the basis of this finding? There’s not sufficient evidence to support such a directive. Notably, Hon. Nabanja and Hon. Minsa Kabanda disagreed, suggesting a lack of consensus and due diligence prior to implementing that quarantine. Amidst all this, there is a need for equitable treatment of all farmers because there is an impact on livelihoods such as butchers, meat vendors, restaurant workers, etc. There has to be caution against hasty decrees lacking in evidence,” Salongo said.
Currently, the voices of the leaders today should serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for integrity, fairness, and good governance in Uganda’s political landscape.
