The Minister of Presidency, Esther Mbayo has highlighted the achievements gained by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government in the last 32 years as cause for Ugandans to rally behind this year’s celebrations of the Liberation Day.
In justifying the relevance of the annual celebration held on January 26, Minister Mbayo highlighted strides made by the NRM government in the areas of education, health, ICT, infrastructure and energy among others.
“Over the last 30 years of President Yoweri Museveni’s leadership, Uganda’s growth has averaged 6.74% per year, making it the 17th fastest growing economy in the world, the 4th fastest in Africa out of 189 countries on the IMF list,” Mbayo said on Wednesday during a press conference.
With the exception of mineral rich countries, she said, Uganda is the 10th fastest growing economy in the world and first in Africa.
She said that under the same government, Uganda’s revenue collection has increased from Shs 5 billion in 1986 to the current Shs 12 trillion.
“In the last five years, infant mortality declined from 54 to 43 deaths per 1,000 live births; the under-five child mortality declined from 90 to 64 deaths per 1000 live births,” she said, adding that maternal deliveries in health facilities have increased from 57% to 73% of all births.
During Friday’s celebrations, President Yoweri Museveni will give out 200 medals to individuals that have played an exceptional role in the liberation and development of Uganda.
This year’s NRA Day will be hosted at the Boma grounds in Arua Municipality in North Western Uganda. The theme this year is “Uganda’s Liberation, a significant contribution to our present and future development”.
Mbayo said that the day is an opportunity for every Ugandan to assess their individual contribution toward liberating the economy, creating wealth and prosperity.
She described the sacrifice made by President Museveni and his bush war compatriots in order to liberate Uganda from “the jaws of helplessness” as “very illuminating”.
