Vision 2030 to Rid Country of Poverty

from All Africa

New Vision (Kampala)

By Joel Ogwang
Kampala

The Government plans to turn around the fortunes of five million productive Ugandans to ensure they earn sh20m annually.

Kirunda Kivejinja, the information minister, said cabinet had endorsed Vision 2030 to ensure that all productive Ugandans earn a minimum of sh20m by 2030.

"Five-million people earning sh20m annually may look over ambitious. We have experimented and found it achievable," he said.

Kivejinja said if properly rolled-out, the Bonna Bagaggawale (prosperity for all) programme, can transform the lives of most Ugandans.

He urged local governments to embrace Vision 2030 to rid the country of poverty and starvation.

"Vision 2030 seeks to transform Uganda from a peasant to an industrial society that is knowledge-based and prosperous," he said.

He said unless local governments are involved, the Government programmes cannot succeed, justifying the Government's biggest budgetary allocation to districts.

The minister was closing a workshop for district information officers, chief administrative officers (CAOs), engineers and planners at Ridar Hotel in Mukono, recently.

Kivejinja urged district planners to keep annual population figures at hand to ensure proper planning.

"Do not rely on the national census that is done after five years," he said.

Chrizestom Kayise, the Amuria CAO, urged the Government to promote information and communication technology in planning to influence behavioural change.

"The Government has marginalised communication departments in districts yet they are critical. There should be increased funding," he said.

The information officers resolved to form an association to promote flow of information on development.