“Museveni has been speaking about democracy, but where is that democracy he speaks of if he can't tolerate those who criticise his government? What is happening in villages undermines the same democracy he talks about,” Ssenyonyi said.
The competition aims to encourage every Ugandan to confidently sing the National Anthem while promoting the use of Kiswahili and increasing appreciation of the East African Community anthem as Uganda advances regional integration.
“Now, every time the Budget is read, we hear just increments of taxes on most consumable products such as alcohol, and sugar, among others. How would you expect me to listen to something that bothers me more? The President should instead downsize the district security structures where people are fond of playing the same roles,” Kayiira said.
“With trailblazers like YPA, our young people can create millions of jobs and opportunities back home for themselves rather than flock out of the country to work as maids and offer unskilled labour in what are sometimes indecent and very dehumanizing conditions abroad,” Museveni said.
The Ateker-speaking communities include the Nyangatomo of Ethiopia; the Toposa, Bari, and Torit of South Sudan; the Iteso, Turkana, and Masai of Kenya; the Iteso, Karimojong, Jie, Dodoth, Kumam, Langi, and Kakwa of Uganda; and the Masai of Tanzania, plus other closely-knit groups spread across the greater East African region.
By conducting this study, the government aims to identify which tax exemptions are beneficial and which may need reform or elimination. This could lead to more informed policy decisions that balance fiscal responsibility with economic development goals.
The ministry has been issuing titles, but the exercise was recently halted to critically resolve the matter. Now officials at MZO are worried that public outcry is going to be so much.