How Shs6 billion oil cash should have been used

Following the recent trending story of the presidential handshake of Shs6 billion shared by highly paid top government officials, one wonders whether Uganda has not started testing the effects of the oil curse. The temptation of oil proceeds has not waited us to start production. This is a very worrying sign on how government will use the oil revenue obtained when production starts.
With more than 83 per cent of Uganda’s youth engulfed in unemployment, the Shs6 billion from the oil case would have benefited a larger struggling population of this country than being shared by few top government officials who earn half billions as their salaries and allowances monthly.

With youth turning to agriculture for survival, climate change effects have also followed us registering disappointing agricultural returns due to prolonged long dry spells. Therefore, it would be wise if government used this Shs6 billion to procure simple irrigation systems and give them to the youth either free of charge or on loan basis.
If the youth fail in agriculture, the country is likely to face a huge food security crisis because they are the majority and more energetic population of this nation. Government needs to apologise for such reckless actions especially during a time where the country urgently needs oil revenue for economic development and creation of employment opportunities as stated in the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 and not for consumption as it was used for.
Asadhu Ssebyoto,
[email protected]