While most opposition politicians mistakenly think they have no business engaging in any consultations with the ruling NRM government led by veteran military general-cum politician Gen Yower Kaguta Museveni, FDC’s Grace Paddy Kirya Wanzala thinks otherwise.
Wanzala, currently in the campaign trenches seeking to consolidate his position that will make him the next Butembe County MP in Jinja district promises to engage the top managers of the Mutai-based Kiira Motors Cooperation (KMC) and Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development) PIBID on how best the entities can be of benefit to constituents.
KMC is Uganda’s state-owned automobile enterprise focused on developing and manufacturing sustainable mobility solutions for Africa including electric vehicles like the Kayoola EVS buses with a vision to boost local industry, create jobs and reduce emissions through technology transfer and localized production plant in Jinja district.
On the other hand, PIBID was established in 2005 to boost processing (flour, wine, chips) and farmer incomes, working with MAAIF and UIRI; other key players include the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) for investment, and research institutes like UIRI, while the Ministry of Agriculture (MAAIF) sets policy and supports development.
Addressing a series of campaign rallies in Kakira Town Council, the seasoned procurement and audit consultant-cum politician says he wants to hold discussions with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Paul Isaac Musasizi to see how the state-owned company can help the immediate community.
“…for example, access to clean drinking water which in turn can reduce waterborne diseases and improve overall health, because with access to clean water, community members can focus on education, work and other activities without worry about waterborne illnesses…”, Kirya Wanzala cited an area of engagement.
The FDC flag-bearer also cited another area of discussion as being in the area of electricity which can enable businesses to operate longer hours, improve productivity and stimulation of economic growth.
He told the residents that electricity can also enable pupils and students to study and access digital resources and improve educational outcomes.
“…apart from stimulating small scale industries, electricity can provide lighting, reduce crime and improve overall safety of the population in the area…” Kirya Wanzala stressed.
He was disappointed to find out that all the camps with facilities housing workers of Kakira Sugar Ltd for failure to provide electricity to the workers.
“…you can imagine that electricity cables pass overhead while poles also pass across but the workers who labour to make the company reap billions of profits are living in darkness…”, he lamented.
Kakira Sugar Ltd (KSL) is the flagship company and core business of the Madhavani Group, a major Ugandan conglomerate, with Kakira serving as the Group’s primary sugar producer, accounting for nearly 50% of Uganda’s sugar supply and playing a vital role in the country’s economy, employment, revenue and development through its vast operations and social initiatives.
“…this is something I will surely engage the Joint MD Mayur Madhavani on this matter to ensure that his workers especially the lowest cadres also live-in decent conditions…”, Kirya Wanzala said amidst applause from the residents.
Among the camps he addressed rallies included Batsafi, Kagoma Gate,N20 also known as Matafali Village, Mutai Camp, Karongo-Terego and Kirinya where he was received by the area LC1 chairpersons and Camp overseers.
Kirya Wanzala assured the people of Butembe County of better refermentation and legislation as compared to what he termed as ‘political dealers’ who confused them in the past and disappeared once elected.
He also promised to revive and accelerate the long-pending issue of minimum wage for Ugandans which became a bill but the President has twice declined to assent to so that it becomes a law.
It should be noted that until 2021, the minimum wage in Uganda was at 60,000/- per month which had been the last set in 1984 during the collapsed Second Obote government.
Uganda is also still not party to The Ratifications of C131-Minimum Wage Fixing Convention,1970 No131. (This is an international Labour Organization (ILO) convention that aims to protect workers against unduly low wages. As of February 2024, the convention had been ratified by 54 countries).
The convention requires countries to establish systems of minimum wages, implement machinery for fixing minimum wages, consult with employers and trade unions when fixing minimum wages and provide protection for workers against unduly low wages.
The purpose of the convention is to protect workers against unduly low wages and promote fair wages. It recognizes the importance of minimum wage fixing in developing countries and provides flexibility to member states in implementing its provisions.
If ranked by minimum wage, Uganda is number 121 of 197 something that pushed the country to the bottom percent of all countries based on the yearly minimum wage rate.
It was not until 2019 that the 10th Parliament members made an attempt to establish a minimum wage for Uganda. The wage was set at Uganda shillings 136,000 after the Minimum Wage Bill, 2015 was passed by the parliament.
The bill, which has not been assented to, aims to create a mechanism for determining the minimum wage and preventing employee exploitation.
President Museveni declined to assent to the Bill because he believes the current law is sufficient for the sector. According to Museveni, there are no gaps in the Minimum Wages Advisory Board and the wages Council Act that the Bill seeks to cure.
In a letter to the then Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, President Museveni stated that he received advice from the then Attorney General William Byaruhanga who recommended that the president should not sign the bill.
The president also stated that the cabinet was still awaiting a report from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development on the implications of fixing a minimum wage to investment and the economy.
According to experts, in countries where trade union movements are strong, collective bargaining can be a means to fix minimum wages. In these countries, it is easy to find 90 percent of the workforce covered by collective agreements.
Regrettably, most workers in Uganda are not protected by powerful trade unions, resulting in the government being unable to base the minimum wage solely on collective bargaining.
Information available indicates that countries like Kenya, there are Minimum Consolidated Wages by Region and Occupation. They simplify it by setting a Minimum Wage per Hour, a Daily Minimum Wage, and a Monthly Price Floor.
The address by Kirya Wanzala has given hope to the people of Butembe County who have suffered with poor representation in the last 10 years that this time round they will get another Hon Daudi Migereko who served prudently and diligently.
Throughout the villages he went, locals including their leaders, irrespective of their party affiliations vowed to campaign and vote for Kirya Wanzala whom they described as a valuable asset, dependable and trustworthy.
With his comprehensive plan and commitment to improving the lives of Butembe County residents, Kirya Wanzala is confident of winning the hearts and minds of voters in the constituency.
