Economists task government to prioritise agricultural sector
Economists has asked the government to prioritise the agricultural sector which is reeling from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was during a dialogue organised by the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) held in Kampala.
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The dialogue was held under the theme:"Re-opening Uganda's Economy and Containment of #COVID19 Pandemic: Emerging Issues, Policy Options, and Implications."
Following the president's speech about the economy's re-opening, there is also a risk of the second wave of infections projected to raise around November and December according to health experts.
It is against this background that ACODE and its partners saw it important to organize this dialogue to discuss ways of opening our economy, especially the real economy.
Dr. Fred Muhumuza, senior economist, said agriculture has sustained the country.
"Let us appreciate its role and those involved in the sector. As we revive and open the economy, we have to think differently,"he said.
The executive director of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG),Julius Mukunda, said Uganda's economy is very resilient but debt is her biggest challenge.
"We should ask ourselves, what do we borrow for? We must borrow for the real economy.There are those who are vulnerable and have already fallen into the poverty trap.This eludes the 10 years of trying to fight poverty in the country,"said Mukunda.
The executive director,ACODE, Arthur Bainomugisha said the pandemic has affected individuals and institutions differently.
"In Uganda, tourism, trade, and the education sector are among the worst-hit sectors because of the instituted lockdown measures,"he said.
