UGANDA AND OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRY TO IGNORE AID

The Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of China, Li- Ruogu has cautioned Uganda and other African countries to be more critical of the aid some donors are willing to extend to their countries.                                                                                                                     

By  Chimp Reports

The high ranking Chinese official, 
who is currently in the country to discuss with Government financing modalities for Karuma and Isimba hydropower dams among other projects, said African governments should be ready to ignore aid if it does not lead to development because many donors still don’t understand the situation in Africa and continue to issue aid conditions which are out of date.
 The China Exim Bank President who was accompanied by a 16 -man delegation made the remarks this week while meeting Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi at his Office in Kampala.
“Listen to donors carefully to ensure that you benefit from aid,” Ruogu said, adding that China’s policy is not to teach Africa what to do but to share China’s experience and leave decision making to the respective countries.
The remarks come at a time when President Museveni is looking East for military logistics; heavy financing for government projects and business relations.
Western donors recently suspended aid to Uganda over the anti-homosexuality Bill.
Ruogu said the Chinese people will never forget the support of Africa during their liberation struggle.
The Bank President said their policy on cooperation emphasises development projects support as opposed to budget subsidies.
Infrastructure
“Infrastructure is important for a country’s development, so we invest heavily in this sector because transportation and energy are key to economic activity,” Ruogu said adding that their objective is to leave a legacy with tangible and concrete projects for the beneficiaries.
He also called upon Uganda to use her potential to develop its economy like Angola and also ensure that the agricultural sector is well developed to ensure sustainable development.
 Ruogu on a four day visit said effectiveness and discipline in the use the available resources whether borrowed or locally generated is key to increased growth and development.
Mbabazi in his remarks said Uganda is happy to learn from the China model of development.
He said support from China since the liberation struggle has enabled Uganda to build the capacity to defend itself and embark on development.
“A people who cannot defend themselves can’t be free. China helped us to build the capacity to defend ourselves,” Mbabazi said.
Mbabazi said Uganda is ready to use the oil resource strategically to build infrastructure such as the standard gauge railway line connecting the East African countries.
“We hope to raise our national power grid from about 900MW to 3,885MW in the period of 5-7 years,” Mbabazi said adding that Uganda has a lot of resources to exploit including the second largest phosphate deposit in the world.
The China Exim Bank President is expected to inspect progress made on the construction of the $350 million, Entebbe express highway financed by the Bank.
The Export Import Bank of China founded in 1994 is a State Bank solely owned by the Chinese Government.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Finance, Fred Omach, Minister of State for Industry, James Mutende, Minister of State for International Affairs, Okello Oryem and the Permanent Secretary Office of the Prime Minister, Christine Guwatudde Kintu.

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