Political and economic leaders urge focus on rural empowerment to boost Uganda's development

During a lively discussion on Morning at NTV, political and economic leaders called for enhanced infrastructure and financial inclusion to bridge the gap between Uganda’s rural and urban economies.

Joseph Ochieno, a political analyst, expressed concerns over the pace of development in rural areas. “When you create an infrastructure economy where it takes three hours to reach Mukono, how then should we expect fast development in other areas?” Ochieno remarked. He noted that the current economic framework hasn’t been effective in fostering widespread growth.

Echoing these sentiments, Ezra Muhumuza, Executive Director of the Uganda Manufacturers Association, emphasized the need to go beyond macroeconomic indicators to fully integrate rural economies. He pointed out that many districts still lack essential financial institutions, such as banks, making it difficult to monetize the rural economy. “There was a national agenda to establish rural banks, but some districts still lack banking institutions,” Muhumuza said.

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The conversation also highlighted Uganda’s agricultural sector. John Musila, Member of Parliament for Bubulo East, underscored the potential for agro-processing to add value to the country’s raw materials. “We have factories, and about 70% of them are agro-related. Can we add value to raw materials so that we benefit more from what we produce?” Musila asked.

The panelists agreed that addressing these issues could lead to significant strides in Uganda’s development, creating opportunities for local communities and promoting sustainable economic growth.