Mwangaza Study Groups Centre

AGAIN, WE SAY TO YOU: INTEGRATE OR PERISH!!
We wish to thank two young Compatriots - Jomo Mugasa and Giles Muhame - who warmly invited us to a Breakfast Economic Forum held last Wednesday. Most unfortunately, we were unable to attend. We conveyed our apologies to the organizers through Compatriot Mugasa.

Below, is the summary of the remarks we would have made to the meeting, if we had been able to attend. It is built around excerpts from our 14th July 2022 article published in the New Vision newspaper under the title, “We Must Integrate, or Perish!!” The reader shall have to kindly accommodate our habit of digging into our older articles. Firstly, there is no need to re-invent the wheel on matters of principle. Secondly, repeating and emphasizing principles for clarity, is extremely important in the ongoing complex and multifaceted struggle for the accelerated political and economic integration of Eastern Africa.

“‘It is you and me to do what Mwalimu Nyerere, Mandela, Nkrumah, Sekou Toure, Modibo Keita, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Thambo, Patrice Lumumba, I.K. Musaazi, etc., did not do to insure Africa from the threats similar to the ones we have just gone through or worse’. (Yoweri K. Museveni, Makerere, 31st August 2017).

… we undertook to ‘look at hard headed Pan Africanism, Regional Integration and new Internal Markets - the key out of the dilemma, and trigger to the fundamental and qualitative transformation of Mother Afrika.’

Regional integration has to be clearly differentiated from the looser concept of ‘regional co-operation’. Regional co-operation would, for instance, cover any agreement or understanding between two or more states for mutual economic and other benefit. It could cover even a single commodity treaty.

Regional integration, on the other hand, is … qualitatively higher. … ‘with regional integration the walls must come down’ … ‘The borders must be broken down’ … The 7th Pan African Congress meeting in Kampala in 1994, hailed the advent of an Africa ‘without borders - with no passports, with no visas.’

Regional integration in our circumstances, serves at least three main purposes. First, promoting the development of the integrating states … Put differently: we do not integrate to trade. We integrate to develop.

Second, building (and related to the immediately foregoing) the competitiveness of the integrating states in the global economy - in the face of a 600-year-old world division of work and market which, as we have demonstrated … is inherently weighted against the vital interests and well-being of the African people. Regional integration is a tool for … building new competitive advantages, and re-ordering the currently unequal international order and related power structures - in the fundamental interests of the African people.

Third, building world class strategic research capabilities, as well as consolidating collective defense and security with formidable militaries, advanced weaponry and delivery systems. This is the only way the African Revolution can sustainably defend itself.

Fourth, imposing healthy internal democratic behavior on member states. The Constitutive Act of the African Union, in this connection, imposes extra-national and Pan Africanist standards of behavior, with the reality of sanction if those standards are breached. The African Union may, for example, intervene in a member state under conditions of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, etc.

…

Pan Africanist regional integration arrangements may vary greatly in objectives, structures, memberships, etc. However, from the simplest to higher levels of integration, the following elements are present in various combinations and sequencing: Preferential Trade Area) PTA; Free Trade Area (FTA); Customs Union; Common Market; Monetary Union; Economic Community; Confederation; Federation.

In this clear sense, the African Union is a giant Pan Africanist effort and undertaking. The East African Community, ECOWAS, COMESA, SADC, IGAD, etc., are Pan Africanist efforts and undertakings. ... Incidentally, ordinary African wananchi in their millions and majority, live across and straddle the inconveniencing borders created by colonialism!

Now, a number of Compatriots have recently shared their misgivings about frictions and tensions within and between various integrating states and important stakeholders. We should not lose too much sleep over these. Contradiction is at the heart of all development. Moreover, within each contradiction, lies the seed for its resolution. The way forward remains in working for, and maintaining, Pan African ideological clarity and open, revolutionary methods of work.

At the same time, a number of important principles govern regional integration processes, and are particularly important in mediating the resolution of incidental conflict or tensions. In the Treaty Establishing the East African Community, a number of principles there-in, are instructive. We speak here, for example, of the ‘principle of variable geometry’, as contained in Chapter One, Article 1 of the Treaty dealing with interpretation.

The ‘principle of variable geometry’ is defined as ‘the principle of flexibility which allows for progression in co-operation among a sub-group of members in a larger integration scheme in a variety of areas and at different speeds.’

Equally important is the ‘principle of asymmetry, defined in the Treaty as meaning ‘the principle which addresses variances in the implementation of measures in an economic integration process for purposes of achieving a common objective.’

…

Revived initially as a Customs Union in 2000, the EAC started constructing its Common Market in 2010 - for the free movement of labour, goods, services, capital and the right of establishment. In 2013, the EAC started on yet another journey - towards a Monetary Union. The phases necessarily overlap. Today, with a population and internal market approaching 300 million people - stretching from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean - the EAC marches inexorably towards an East and Central African Political Federation! Mother Afrika is waking up!”

Finally, there is some confusion in our local discourse on integration - and we have to together sort it out. We have no “flying geese phenomenon” - geese flying in an arrowhead formation … In other words, we have no regional economy pulling or driving the rest - in our backward, peasant (traditional societies) and enclave economies on the periphery of global Capitalism; at various stages of incomplete national and statal formation; Etc.

In this initial phase, economic logic cannot - on its own - drive the integration process. Unlike in other jurisdictions, accelerated political integration shall be the glue to hold us together for long enough for the economic logic of the process to take center stage.

K. David Mafabi
Senior Presidential Advisor/Political Affairs (Special Duties)
State House

👆🏾 Mwangaza African Revolutionary Study Groups Launch, at Islamic University in Uganda - Main Campus, Mbale.

Today 19th September 2022, we launched the Mwangaza Study Groups at Soroti University ...

Wonderful interaction at this University of Health Sciences and Engineering!

MWANGAZA EFFORT: ADVANCING IDEOLOGICAL UNITY
The Mwangaza African Revolutionary Study Groups Center, next week commences Phase Two (September and October 2022) of the launch of Study Groups - in Teso, Elgon, Bukedi, Busoga, Rwenzori and Central. Online ideological studies for all the Study Groups, originally scheduled to commence last month, shall now commence in December 2022.

But, first things first. As we write (Thursday), we have received news of the passing of Senior Comrade Elly Tumwine - distinguished General of the African Revolution. The tributes to the General have been many and heartfelt - saluting and celebrating him. We also came across a few very mean and extremely petty comments - reflective of the poverty of mind and spirit of those who authored them.

His sterling and outstanding overall contribution to the African Revolution aside, I personally shall treasure additionally, the several warm and very fruitful interactions with the General on matters Pan African. This was especially so when I was Director, Political Affairs, and later Ag. General Secretary, of the Global Pan African Movement - before I joined State House in 2005.

Go well, Gen. Tumwine! May Almighty God and the African People Bless You In Your Eternal Rest. The struggle you gave your all for, shall continue until final victory!

Back to MWANGAZA. Some well-wishers have inquired why we are “slow”. Obviously, there have been teething challenges which we did not anticipate when we set out. We have also had to adjust in several ways, as experience on the ground has continued to teach us. The bottom line, is that the discipleship for a revolution cannot be mass produced. It is built painstakingly, and is ultimately about personal convictions and developing revolutionary and consistent world views - about the fundamental unity and advancement of the African people.

But, we started very well, and are very firmly on course. Earlier in the year, we held successful Symposia in West Nile, Acholi, Lango, Kigezi and Ankole. Up to 600 Academics, Students from Universities and other Tertiary Institutions, Enthusiasts from all walks of life across the country - vigorously participated in the Symposia. Formation of Study Groups and election of Coordinators has been underway in the aforementioned Zones.

We issued guidelines to be followed after the Symposia, for the formation of the MWANGAZA Study Groups as follows:

“Any Ugandan/African Patriot desirous of participating in the 12 Month Study Program offered by the Mwangaza African Revolutionary Study Groups Center, shall enroll for that purpose with the Center - by email to ([email protected]).”

“In so enrolling, he or she shall provide the Center with the information required under Appendix I of the Prospectus of the Center, namely: Surname; Other Names; Date of Birth; Email Address; Telephone Contact; Occupation; Place of Residence.”

“Study shall be conducted through Study Groups, styled formally xyz Mwangaza African Revolutionary Study Group - where xyz could for example stand for “Arua Teachers’, as the case maybe. Informally, the same group would be referred to as xyz Mwangaza Study Group.
All the Study Materials and related instructions shall be availed to the Study Groups by the Coordinating Secretariat of the Center.”

“Study Groups may be formed by Patriots in a location, institution, etc. - who shall not number more than 30 and less than 5, in number.
Provided that in a large institution like a university or Parliament, Groups may form Clusters for ease of coordination.

A Study Group and Cluster so formed, shall immediately register with the Coordinating Secretariat of the Center.”

“For avoidance of doubt, the Mwangaza African Revolutionary Study Groups shall be formed principally to enable the members, to undergo the 12 Month Program of Study under the supervision of the Coordinating Secretariat of the Center.

Provided that as part of the process of study, members of the Study Groups may interact from time to time with the wider community in various related activities, under the supervision of the Coordinating Secretariat of the Center.”

“A Study Group shall elect from its membership, a Coordinator and Organizing Secretary, who shall coordinate its Study Program with the Coordinating Secretariat of the Center.”

“As outlined in the Prospectus, no fees of any kind or magnitude shall be paid by members of the Mwangaza Study Groups or Clusters - by way of membership, purchase of Mwangaza Study Materials, etc. Such practice is expressly forbidden.”

We should like to heartily thank all those Compatriots who have already formed Study Groups, for their vigilance and patience. The very first groups were formed at Kabale University, Muni University and Gulu University. As indicated above, the Online Studies Program shall commence later this year - after the September and October Field Outreach Program in Teso, Elgon, Bukedi, Busoga, Rwenzori and Central.

To refresh the memory of the reader, the Mwangaza African Revolutionary Study Groups Center is a modest, but extremely serious effort, put together by Pan Africanist Volunteers and Patriots. “Mwangaza” is Kiswahili for “Brightness’, “Light”, etc.

The word “MWANGAZA” in capital letters is used interchangeably with, and to denote, the Mwangaza African Revolutionary Study Groups Center.

The Vision of MWANGAZA is, “Consolidated Revolutionary and Critical Thought - on the Challenges and Needs of the Struggle for the Fundamental Unity and Advancement of the African Peoples.”

The Mission of MWANGAZA is, “To encourage and enable the growth and multiplication of African Revolutionary Study Groups - committed to the Fundamental Unity and Socio-Economic Transformation of Uganda and Mother Afrika.”

To further refresh the memory of the reader, in the MWANGAZA Study Groups, all participants are co-learners, co-teachers and co-equal. They assist one another advance in deeper knowledge of a subject(s) or theme(s).

All this calls for the greatest humility, modesty and discipline on the part of all participants. It does not matter if a participant has gone through some material before, how much formal education they have or have not, had. Group Study is about continuous fellowship and, together, consolidating a discipleship for the fundamental and qualitative transformation of Uganda and Africa.

MWANGAZA deliberately targets: Young People; Business People; Entrepreneurs; the Corporate Class; Media: Industrialists; the Intelligentsia; Public Servants; Political Leaders; Community Leaders; Etc. - of all Generations and all Political Persuasions.

K. David Mafabi
Senior Presidential Advisor/Political Affairs (Special Duties)
State House

NEGATIVE ATTRIBUTES OF GLOBALIZATION: A CHALLENGE TO OUR INTEGRATION
Our discussion on Pan Africanism, Regional Integration and Markets, cannot proceed without a deep reflection on the global environment in which the integration efforts have to unfold. “Global environment” has its heart, the phenomenon of contemporary Globalization. Our major assertion today, is that contemporary Globalization has a constraining and debilitating effect on our efforts - which effect we must comprehend in its totality, and which we must decisively deal with. The discussion today provides the locational setting for the subsequent discussions on Pan Africanism, Regional Integration and Markets.

According to its supporters and proponent, Globalization refers to the “increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity”. It includes discussion of the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through the supposed reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import quotas. Globalization is further supposed to have contributed to economic growth in developed and developing countries through increased specialization and the principle of comparative advantage. The world, these points of view contend, has become a “global village”.

My friends and senior Compatriots (both now deceased) from the University of Dar es Salaam, Professors Mwesigwa Baregu and Chachage Chachage, did not agree. Prof. Baregu averred that the much vaunted “global village” remains in reality a “global jungle”. Prof. Chachage described the equally hyped “villagization” of the world, as its continued “pillagization”. More about this later.

The term “Globalization” was first employed in a publication entitled Towards New Education in 1930, to denote a holistic view of human experience in education. In the 1960s the term began to be used by economists and other social scientists. The term reached the mainstream press in the latter half of the 1980s. Since its inception, the concept of globalization has inspired competing definitions and interpretations, with antecedents dating back to the great movements of trade and empire across Asia and the Indian Ocean from the 15th Century onwards.

Not to be out done, the IMF in 2000 identified what they described as “four basic aspects of Globalization”:
Trade and Transactions: Developing countries increased their share of world trade, from 19 percent in 1971 to 29 percent by 1999 … But there is great variation among the major regions. For instance, the newly industrialized economies (NIEs) of Asia prospered, while African countries as a whole performed poorly …
Capital and Investment Movements: Private capital flows to developing countries soared during the 1990s, replacing "aid" or development assistance which fell significantly after the early 1980s. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) became the most important category …
Migration and Movement of People: In the period between 1965-90, the proportion of the labor forces migrating approximately doubled. Most migration occurred between developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) …
Dissemination of Knowledge (and Technology): Information and Technology exchange is an integral aspect of globalization …
Now, to the views of Professors Baregu and Chachage, we must add those of Prof. Stephen Gill, in “International Political Economy”, 1996. “Globalization” is not some “neutral” or “evenhanded” process of “increasing interdependence” or “integration” of world economies.

Contemporary globalization, (according to Prof. Gill)), can specifically be traced to the “onset of the global economic crisis in the early 1970s, subsequent to which a particular model of capitalist development - Anglo-American and neo-liberalist - has tended to prevail on a world scale. This has been more so since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Globalization from the point of view of revolutionary political economy, has had in its essence:
The information technology revolution of the last decade or so …
Neo-liberal discourse and triumphalism promoting a Social Darwinist (survival of the fittest) reconfiguration of priorities, policies and outcomes …
The promotion, (via the World Trade Organization), etc., of “Free Trade - meaning the removal of all barriers to trade and investment. This is given the lie by a fundamental protectionism and unfair trading practices on the part of the United States, the European Union, Japan, etc., - undermining AGOA, the Cotonou Agreement and any other openings given to the poor countries by the rich countries …
Intensification of cutthroat international competition, not only between firms, but states as well - in their ability to attract and retain flows of mobile capital and investment …
The attempts to address the resultant conflicts have been dominated by corporate interests, mainly from the G-8 countries. The major thrust of negotiations here, has been the reinforcement of the property rights and entry/exit options of transnational corporations …
The agricultural negotiations, similarly, have been conducted in ways, which are designed to protect wealthy agro-business in the rich countries …
The conditionalities of the Structural Adjustment Programs, which include deregulation of currency markets, privatization of public enterprises, retrenchment of public employees, cuts in welfare programs, etc. …
Cultural domination of the world by Western values, including the emergence of the English language as the world’s lingua franca …
Our states therefore, remain largely creatures of the world market … We remain largely producers of essentially unprocessed products, a source of free or cheap raw materials, slave or cheap labour and a market for manufacturers … Our products are subject to permanently volatile prices on the world market …

Worse, this continuing vertical integration into the world economy via the export of primary products has had the effect of locking up the African population in the country side, in rural peasant enclaves around the production (no value addition) of commodities like coffee, cotton, tea, to***co, etc., for the world market. The point here is not simply the production and reproduction of a cyclical and structural poverty. It is also the maintenance of a mother bed for the production and reproduction of localism, provincialism, parochialism and sectarianism of the worst kind …

This militates against the national integration of the nascent statal formations created by Colonialism … It is also the material basis for the production and reproduction of a flabby and fragmented political class and elite, with no sense of responsibility or allegiance to the emerging Common Good …

Next week, we look at hard headed Pan Africanism, Regional Integration and new Internal Markets - the key out of the dilemma, and trigger to the fundamental and qualitative transformation of Mother Afrika.

K. David Mafabi
Senior Presidential Advisor/Political Affairs (Special Duties)
State House

ANATOMY OF TRANSFORMATION OF ECONOMIES
Last week we undertook to look again at how economies reproduce and transform. Our purpose is to underline that in the peculiar 600-year-old circumstances of our hostage enclave economies on the periphery of global Capitalism, the processes of reproduction and transformation must be anchored of necessity, in a very clear philosophical foundation. In doing this today, we shall refer to unorthodox (in our centres of higher learning) bibliography, to help bring out the salient issues. As we do all this, our central focus remains the Ugandan homeland and Mother Africa.

In the second volume of his major work Das Kapital, Karl Marx distinguishes between what he calls "simple reproduction" on the one hand, and "expanded (or enlarged) reproduction", on the other. With simple reproduction, no economic growth occurs, while in the case of expanded reproduction, more is produced than is needed to maintain the economy at given level, making economic growth possible. In specifically capitalist society, the difference is that in the former case, the new surplus value created is spent on consumption (or hoarded), whereas in the latter case, part of it is reinvested in production.

This is then, is the first defining parameter or strategic imperative in this conversation: national saving (national accumulation) and re-investment in production (expanded reproduction), is a condition sine qua non for achieving sustained economic growth.

Other theorists and political economists like Ernest Mandel additionally refer to “contracted reproduction”, meaning production on a smaller and smaller scale, in which case business operating at a loss outnumbers growing business (e.g., in wars, depressions, or disasters). Reproduction in this case continues to occur, but investment, employment and output fall absolutely, so that the national income falls. This is what happened for example, during the Great Depression of the 1930s in the aftermath of World War I. For comparative purposes here, just over 10 years ago we experienced the shocks of a global economic crunch over derivatives - a passing phenomenon whose severity and impact did not come anywhere that of the Great Depression.

In terms of the Mandel construct of “contracted reproduction, the jury is still out on the full extent and severity of the post-COVID 19 global economic crisis - and additionally now, the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war. For our discussion today, however, we shall stay with Marx’s contrast (outlined above) of what he referred to as “simple reproduction” on the one hand, and “expanded reproduction” on the other.

The other defining parameter for this conversation, is as regards the division of the total product or all production of society into what Marx called “two great sections” - otherwise known as the two departments of social production. These are the “means of production” (Department I), and the “means of consumption” (Department II).

While “means of production” refers to commodities which are utilized in production or productive consumption, “means of consumption” refers to commodities having a form in which they pass into the individual consumption of members of society.

The defining parameter or strategic imperative here is that expanded or enlarged production aside (economic growth), Department I which produces “means of production”, must produce means of production sufficient for its own needs, and at the same time produce means of production sufficient for the needs of Department II dealing with the production of means of consumption! In modern society, this is the condition sine qua non for the qualitative leap from backwardness to modernity and transformation!

So, what are we talking about producing in Department I? We are talking about Energy, Infrastructure, Construction, Heavy Industry, Metallurgy, Machinery, Machine Tool Production, Cybernetics, Chemical Industry, Aviation Industry, Space Industry and Defence Industry. When these are combined with the development of the human resource, we are on course for takeoff, and the development of Department II (Means of Consumption) follows as a matter of course.

In other words, we must think outside the box … We must deliberately but systematically move away from simply working with “comparative advantages” and the “democratization of poverty” … We must move towards deliberately building new “competitive advantages” … Science and Technology hold the key in this qualitative leap.

But, we still shall not be able to move decisively if we do not break the 600-year-old stranglehold on our enclave economies subsisting in the periphery of Global Capitalism - at the mercy of the forces that rule the World division of work and market. We do not have the possibility of slavery and slave trade, plunder, pillage, genocide, etc., - to oil our national accumulation. We do not hold critical geo-strategic locations in a “Cold War” - to buttress our national accumulation, and to support an exponential growth of what Marx called Department I (Means of Production). What then, must we do?

African Patriots have reacted in diverse ways to the reality discussed above. The sense across the decades has been that an energetic and multifaceted response from the African people and its Diaspora, is an objective necessity.

The fight for the abolition of slave trade and slavery, the “Back to Africa Movement” of the Garveyites, the Pan African Conferences series associated with Dr. W.E.B. du Bois, the later 6th and 7th Pan African Congresses in Dar es Salaam and Kampala - were all important nodal points in the epic journey and struggle. They all dovetailed into the thought of “Ubuntu”, the African Renaissance and the Second Liberation of Africa - philosophical warts here and there notwithstanding.

Contemporary Pan Africanism has emerged out of the practical experience associated with this long march. It is a practical, hard headed and hardnosed Pan Africanism. It is a practical response to contemporary challenges, in the era of globalization. If it did not exist, we would have had to invent it! It’s greatest strength even for one who is not emotionally involved, even from the point of selfishness, is precisely because it helps resolve INTERNAL problems of African states and people - precisely again, because the problems are interrelated.

At the heart of contemporary Pan Africanism, lies the theory and practice of Regional Integration. Next week we stay with Pan Africanism, Regional Integration and Internal Markets - as an all-important dimension to our struggle for transformation.

K. David Mafabi
Senior Presidential Advisor/Political Affairs (Special Duties)
State House

CONGRATULATIONS MR. PRESIDENT AND WANANCHI!
“Uganda is going to become a first world country in the next 50 years. We shall become a middle-income country in the next few years. Our GDP per capita is today US$ 580. With value addition to our oil, our coffee, our cotton, our fruits, our maize, our leather, our beef, etc., this GDP per capita would rise to US$ 2,700 even at the present level of raw-material production. To become a middle-income economy, you need to have a GDP per capita of at least US$ 1,000. This we can quickly achieve now that we are solving the problem of electricity. Therefore, in the next 50 years, if we follow the NRM line, Uganda will become both a middle-income country and a first world country”. (Yoweri K. Museveni, 9th October 2012).

The President made the above statement 10 years ago. Reaching the threshold of middle-income status (lower middle as of now), is no mean achievement in the face of daunting challenges and shocks to the economy - without mentioning structural impediments! “Middle-income status”, a World Bank category, is a very important reference and nodal point in the progress of a country in the development trajectory.

Warmest congratulations to you, Mr. President! Warmest congratulations to Wananchi!

We have accordingly decided to devote our piece today entirely to sharing excerpts from the President’s State of the Nation Address last week - excerpts that underline our Strategic Ideological and Policy Trajectory as we focus on the Challenge of Take-Off.

“In spite of all these, the Ugandan economy … will be standing at US$ 45.7 billion by the exchange rate method and at USD 131.6 billion by the PPP method. This means that the GDP per capita is now $1046 … the entrance points for the lower middle-income status, is USD 1036. We have now passed that figure. Congratulations. However, to be declared a middle-income country, you need to sustain this for two to three consecutive years. I am confident, we shall over perform ...

… This is where our industrial linkage with Agriculture comes in. Our strategy is that anything agricultural that is not consumed fresh, should be processed industrially so that it is preserved to be able to reach distant markets and also to add value to the raw-materials …

It is this haemorrhage that the NRM opposed from the beginning in the point 5 of the NRM’s 10 points programme already referred to. We oppose this haemorrhage in all the raw materials: milk, cotton, skins and hides, timber, iron ore (obutare), copper (ekikomo), gold, tin, lithium, wolfram, petroleum, etc. It is this haemorrhage that is responsible for the stagnation of Africa … The continued export of raw materials by Africa is the new form of slavery. Export of value in exchange for no value (mirrors, combs for our ignorant chiefs in exchange for slaves) or for little value like now – 10% value of the final product. The export of raw-materials and slaves for the last 600 years is the cause of this stunting (okuningama) …

Apart from the huge expansion of the Agricultural Sector and the concomitant expansion of the Agro-Industrial sector, there are industries that we are promoting based on our minerals: Oil and Gas (Refinery, Petro-chemicals, fertilizers); Iron-Ore (Steel - Kabaale); Copper (the 11 electrical industries - cables, transformers, electrical appliances); Lithium (electrical car batteries); Niobium (ingots, bars, billets, rods); Tin (tin plates, buckets, cooking utensils); Coltan (laptops, medical equipment, smartphones); Wolfram (electric filaments, ammunition); etc., etc. …

The four sectors - Commercial Agriculture - big or small, intensive or extensive; Industries - big or small, including SMES and Artisanship; Services (Transport, Tourism, Hotels, Entertainment, professional services e.g., doctors, etc.); and ICT; if aggressively pushed, will cause massive social-economic transformation …

The industries of electric and conventional automobiles (buses, mini-buses, trucks, motorbikes, etc.), the Pathogenic Economy (vaccines, pharmaceuticals, for humans and livestock), Space Science, Energy (including nuclear energy) etc., have each, at least, a nucleus already laid down, as I speak today …

How has the NRM brought Uganda to the door-step (ekisasi) of the middle-income status from such a low base and in spite of so many challenges? The following are the reasons:
1. The correct ideology of the NRM rejecting the sectarian ideas of the past actors, insisting on Patriotism, Pan-Africanism, Social-Economic Transformation and Democracy …

2. A strong Army that has ensured peace within Uganda, all the challenges notwithstanding.

3. A strong Private Sector, encouraged by the correct, pro-private sector policies of the NRM; most of the surpluses referred to above, have been generated by the private sector …

4. The correct Pan-Africanist ideology of the NRM that saw the revival of the East African Community, the creation of COMESA and the Abuja Treaty of 1991, that, eventually, saw the birth of the CFTA (the Continental Free Trade Area). Today, Uganda exports goods and services (2020/2021) worth: USD 1.27143 billion to EAC, USD 1.67271 to COMESA and USD 2.03397 billion to CFTA …

5. The correct NRM policy of emphasizing science in education and prioritizing the better payment of government scientists if we do not yet have enough money to pay everybody. Africa was colonized and enslaved and people were exterminated, dominated or marginalized, not because they lacked story-tellers, comedians, musicians, witchdoctors and priests, kings and queens, soldiers, farmers, etc.; but because they lagged behind in Science and Technology …

6. The correct strategy of the NRM of developing the infrastructure - the roads, the railway, the electricity, the piped water, the telephones, the internet etc. The crucial roles of infrastructure are to enable (e.g., electricity) and connect (e.g., roads, railways, telephones) the producers of goods and services and their consumers and do so cheaply - so that the product is not overpriced and, therefore, competitive in the market …

The people that should be discriminated are the unrepentant Comprador Bourgeoisie …
China developed because of the clear vision of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. Mao Zedong helped China by pointing out the positive alliance of the four classes: National Bourgeoisie, Peasants, Proletariat and Patriotic Petty Bourgeoisie against the parasitic Comprador (agent) Bourgeoisie that were working as foreign agents for other people’s interests.” (Yoweri K. Museveni, 7th June 2022).

K. David Mafabi
Senior Presidential Advisor/Political Affairs (Special Duties)
State House