Opinions

Uganda’s oil boom could transform the economy, but without financial support and liquidity, many local businesses risk missing out on the opportunities it promises.

As long as cabinet positions are viewed less as burdens of national service and more as crowns of power, prestige and access to seemingly infinite resources, the shrines will remain crowded, the prophets will keep prophesying, and politicians will continue desperately searching for favour everywhere; in State House corridors, in whispered networks, and in the spiritual realm itself.

In a landmark and highly instructive decision of Kiwoko Hospital v URA, Application No. 206 of 2024, the Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT) provided much-needed guidance on the distinction between employment and consultancy relationships within the healthcare sector.

In 2024, bilateral trade between Uganda and the EU reached about EUR 2.1 billion, with Ugandan exports to Europe nearly tripling since 2019.

So, what must Uganda do? First, move from free media to responsible media. Yes, we have over 300 radio stations, more than 30 TV stations, over 50 print outlets, and a flood of digital platforms. We are not short of voices. We are drowning in them.

Uganda’s first oil should serve as a foundation for long-term economic growth by driving industrialisation, strengthening local businesses, and funding the country’s transition to a more sustainable energy future.

At 52, Muhoozi stands at a point where experience meets momentum. Uganda’s future will depend on leaders who can enforce discipline, navigate difficult situations, and communicate with clarity, both at home and abroad.

Namanve’s story as an industrial park began in 1997, when the area was designated as part of Uganda’s national strategy to accelerate industrial growth. Under the stewardship of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), the park was envisioned as a serviced zone where investors could establish factories, warehouses and business operations, driving employment and technology transfer.

What many fail to recognize is that lifestyle upgrades, once adopted, are difficult to reverse. Rent commitments, car loans, school fees, and subscriptions create fixed costs that lock individuals into a high-expense structure