Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Patrick Oboi Amuriat says President Museveni has intentionally destroyed the manufacturing sector in Jinja City.
Amuriat launched his attack on the President while addressing residents of Jinja City on Saturday afternoon.
“Jinja used to be an industrial town. When Museveni came to power, he decided to plot against Busoga. He decided that Basoga must remain poor so that they continue kneeling before him. He decided to kill all the factories in Busoga. Similarly, he sold all the machinery that was in those factories, and our young people who used to be employed in those factories lost their jobs.” said Patrick Oboi.
According to the FDC President, this decision by the President has contributed to the high rates of unemployment in the region. According to a National Planning Authority (NPA) 2022 report, 43.5% of the youth in Busoga were neither in employment nor education.
Similar sentiments are revealed by numerous Uganda Bureau of Statistics reports that show 70% of the region’s population lives in poverty. Despite the numerous poverty alleviation programs by the government, Amuriat warned the people of Busoga that their situation is due to President Museveni’s actions. He said the closure of factories in Jinja didn’t only affect the employees but also suppliers of raw materials.
Amuriat stings Museveni
“In the past, the people of Busoga were known for producing raw materials for big factories. However, today they are known for making chapatis. This is because they can no longer get jobs.” added Amuriat.
The former legislator also lashed out at sugar factories for unfair remuneration of workers. In the Busoga region, there’s at least one sugar factory in every district, as the sector supports numerous families. However, over the past few years, a number of outgrowers have since cut down their sugarcane plantations, citing unfair prices. This low remuneration challenge also extends to employees such as the sugarcane cutters in the factories.
Amuriat says their numerous cries to the government for intervention in the industry are futile because it wants them in poverty.
“Factory workers cannot maintain their lives with those meagre salaries. Neither can you take your children to school nor take your wives to the hospital. You cannot even save to build a decent house. Our FDC government is going to improve your working and living conditions.” said Patrick Oboi.
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