Suzan Muhwezi Vs Govt: Who owns AGOA?

07 Nov 2023

KAMPALA: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday night criticised the United States over the country’s recent decision to remove Uganda from a major trade pact and issue trade advice warning about the risks of doing business in the East African nation.

Following the enactment of a controversial anti-LGBTQ law, the Ugandan government was accused by Washington of violating human rights.

Last week, the United States announced it was removing Uganda, along with the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Niger, from its African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA offers duty-free access to the United States for sub-Saharan African countries.

Museveni responded on Sunday evening, assuring Ugandans that the country can move forward without support from the Western world.

“I need to advise you not to be overly concerned about the recent actions taken by the American government to discourage their companies from investing in Uganda and removing Uganda from the AGOA list,” Museveni said on X, formerly Twitter.

“Some of these actors in the Western world overestimate themselves and underestimate the freedom fighters of Africa,” the president added.

However, critics have jumped in to criticize the local managers of the project, citing inefficiency and selfishness.

Locally, AGOA is managed by Suzan Muhwezi, wife of Security Minister Jim Muhwezi. Muhwezi is accused of running AGOA like a private entity after refusing to hand it over to the line ministry of trade.

Documents indicate that AGOA has been performing below capacity compared to the benefits reaped by other African countries.

In FY 2012/2013, for instance, Parliament declined to pass AGOA budget of sh482M because AGOA had not produced performance reports or accountability for the previous 10 years.

Critics of Muhwezi also argue that in the subsequent years, the AGOA budget reduced from sh1.042b in 2017/2018 to sh100m in 2023/2024 (over 90% cut). This happened because AGOA was underperforming, the critics say.

Earlier media reports indicated that Finance Minister Amelia Kyambadde then warned that personalizing AGOA would render it useless.

“She said that other countries had benefitted from AGOA unlike Uganda because of personalising the programme. You know who has personalised it. [The “owner” of AGOA doesn’t want it mainstreamed in trade ministry because she is avoiding accountability],” a critic wrote on X.

In fact, Kyambadde made it to the front page after clashing with Suzan Muhwezi over the mismanagement.

“I am trying to save AGOA. There are very many good presidential initiatives but the challenge is structures. We need a law, governance and funding for these initiatives. We would not be complaining if these were catered for,” Kyambadde told parliamentarians in 2012.

“What is Uganda doing about this initiative? Where is the law protecting AGOA? Suzan, we should not personalize these offices. We should all work together,” Kyambadde added in the presence of Muhwezi.

The final nail came when it was revealed that a desk in charge of AGOA at the trade ministry was basically useless at the time.

Legislators at the time recommended revival, recapitalization and staffing of AGOA after it was found out that such a big venture had only three staff members who shared millions of shillings amongst themselves.

“AGOA is currently run by three members of staff and as such it would need revival if its objectives are to be achieved,” the MPs noted.

In backing AGOA, Museveni said it is a misconception for some foreign actors to think that Africa cannot progress without their support. The President could be right, judging by the number of beneficiaries in Uganda.

“Certainly, as far as Uganda is concerned, we have the capacity to achieve our growth and transformation targets, even if some of these actors do not support us,” he said.

According to U.S. government statistics, in 2022, the United States exported 167 million U.S. dollars worth of goods to Uganda and imported 174 million dollars worth of goods from there. Of the goods imported to the US, less than $10m falls under the AGOA.

Do you want to share a story, comment or opinion regarding this story or others, Email us on info@dailysecrets.net or ,Tel/WhatsApp........0726054858

RELATED POST
22 comments
  1. can you buy cheap clomid pills can you get generic clomiphene for sale how can i get generic clomiphene where buy clomid tablets cost generic clomiphene without insurance cost of cheap clomid pills how to buy generic clomiphene without prescription

  2. Proof blog you procure here.. It’s severely to assign high quality belles-lettres like yours these days. I honestly respect individuals like you! Withstand care!!

  3. forma imalatçıları

    Right here is the perfect website for anybody who wishes to find out about
    this topic. You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue
    with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly
    put a new spin on a topic which has been discussed for decades.

    Excellent stuff, just wonderful!

  4. Hey folks, I’m Alex from Romania. I wanna tell you about my insane experience with this new online casino I stumbled
    on a few weeks ago.

    To be honest, I was living paycheck to paycheck, and now I can’t
    believe it myself — I hit £590,000 playing mostly
    slots!

    Now I’m thinking of getting a new car here in Split, and investing a serious
    chunk of my winnings into Ethereum.

    Later I’ll probably move to a better neighborhood and
    support my family.

    Now I’m going by Luka from Croatia because I honestly feel like a new person. My life is flipping upside down in the best way.

    Tell me honestly, what would you guys do if you had this kinda luck?
    Are you jealous right now?

    For real, I never thought I’d have a shot at investing. It’s all happening so fast!

    Ask me anything!

  5. ziraat bankasından yurtdışına para gönderme

    You’re so interesting! I do not suppose I’ve truly read a single thing
    like that before. So good to find somebody with some unique thoughts on this issue.
    Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing
    that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!

  6. ziraat internet bankaciligi yurtdisina para gönderme

    Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what
    I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything.
    Do you have any points for rookie blog writers?

    I’d certainly appreciate it.

  7. Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend
    your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog site?
    The account helped me a appropriate deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided vivid clear concept

    Feel free to visit my page – sarkari result

Leave a reply

NEWSLETTER

Enter your email address below to subscribe to my newsletter

CONNECT & FOLLOW
Politics