By Ben Ssebuguzi
There have been outbursts and fury against parliament and its leaders over what is conceived as wasteful public expenditure, portraying parliament as useless in the eyes of the public. However, the Head of state perspective might be different. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni still believes in parliament as a resource in strengthening good governance for the country.
It has been reported that General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has summoned members of parliament to State House to decide over the merger of UNRA and UCDA which is a good testament that the President is building a strong good governance culture for this country. We have also seen him often inviting the top organ of NRM called CEC on many occasions which shows that the country is not a personal asset but for all Ugandans.
He always explains how he engages the opinions of different stakeholders in National matters. When he wants to take investors to Karamoja to mine limestone for cement, he brings opinion leaders. During the Balalo issue in the north, he also consults local leaders to have their input in decision-making.
The Fountain of Honour has been calling on MPs to support the rationalisation of over 30 government agencies over time in order to promote efficiency and prudent expenditure by the government. Countries with strong governance frameworks often attract more investment and often have strong economies.
Good governance can help you secure investment by creating formal reporting procedures that clearly lay out everything that investors want because good governance is measured on deliverables like things demanded by citizens. For example: security, health, education, water, contract enforcement, property protection, environmental protection etc. Without them, investors will look in the opposite direction.
There is always the provision of public services in an efficient manner, and higher participation given to certain groups in the population like the poor and minorities. In other words, when you see the President protecting the rights of Bibanja holders every time is being farsighted.
In fact the best way to compare ineffective economies or political bodies with viable economies is through the model of good governance.
To expound it better, when the President summons MPs to discuss any national matter, he is trying to bring all Ugandans to make binding decisions through their legislators who are the representatives of the people because good governance is the process of decision making and process by which decisions are implemented.
It can as well be seen as a process of measuring how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources and guarantee the realisation of human rights.
In order to minimise corruption, take into account the opinion of minorities. Listening to minorities is achieved by the realization of good governance. In Uganda, the other reason why we have a bloated parliament is partly because our President doesn’t want to leave anyone behind he tries to bring on board the affirmative action groups including women, youths, and workers among others.
To understand it better, the presence of a strong opposition bench in parliament is good governance because it helps the government with vested authority become more accountable, and transparent which helps to mitigate some risks.
Johnstone (2002, P1-2) defines good governance as legitimate, accountable and effective ways of obtaining and using public power and resources which General Yoweri Museveni has often exhibited.
In conclusion, good governance is a modern good practice which has helped the Western world like the US and Europe to develop faster.In Africa, some of the best-governed countries according to the World economies report include, Mauritius with 69.3%Namibia 69.1%followed by South Africa with 65.5% with Uganda scoring about 47.5 according to the Ibrahim Index of African governance which is lower than the African average of 48.9%
The writer is head of research at Office of the National Chairman – ONC Kyambogo
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
