“WHAT UGANDA CAN LEARN FROM BOTSWANA” FYI extract from article in New Vision Newspaper by Ugandan High Commissioner Julius Peter Moto. Full article @ newvision.co.ug/news/661777-what-uganda-can-learn-from-botswana-s-growth-miracle.html On June 6, 2014, when I presented my credentials to the President of the Republic of Botswana, Lt Gen Seretse Khama Ian Khama, we had very jovial conversations. We discussed a number of things, which included the AU mission for peace building in Africa, notably AMISOM, the Pan African Parliament, the crisis in South Sudan, regional political economy and the co-operation between Uganda and Botswana. He inquired about the number of Ugandans living in Botswana to which I responded about 3,500. He highly regarded the Ugandan professionals working in Botswana, describing his country’s satisfaction in service delivery by Ugandans in Botswana. A number of Ugandans have private health practices in Botswana. When Botswana got independence on September 30, 1966, after almost 80 years under the British administration, there are facts that clearly indicate her transformation: *She had about 550,000 people. Now it has a population of 2,127, 825 (July 2013 estimate) *She had only 22 college graduates, with 100 secondary semi-skilled labour. Now it has about 1,288,000 skilled labour force. *She had only 12km of tarmac roads. Now it has 6,616kms of tarmac roads. Currently, she commits a minimum of 30% of national budget on infrastructure development that is required for opening markets and reducing poverty in the country. *It was one of the poorest land-locked agrarian economies in the world, with per capita GDP of $70. But now, it is heralded as one of the fastest growing economies of the world, with the highest per capita income averaging $17,000 per year and it is not about to stop. *There was no airport. Now it has seven major international airports and six other airports recognised under the SACU and 20 aerodromes, spread all over the country’s major tourist destinations. To date, these airports are responsible for over 2,500,000 tourist arrivals and the figure is climbing steeply. *There was no hotel. Now there are over 30 world-class deluxe hotels, run by both the government and the private sector. There are also a number of budget hotels, tent and camping facilities for low spending tourists. *There was no university. Now there are 12 world-class universities. In 1976, under the leadership of the late President Sir Seretse Khama, a nationwide campaign using Motho Le Motho Kgomo (one man, one beast) slogan, over $1m was raised to start the University of Botswana from scratch in 1982. All able bodied Batswana contributed. Now, the University of Botswana ranks number 12 in Africa. The Limkokwing University of Creative Technology received more than 400 million hits on its creative website in 2013. What did the Batswana do differently to register such tremendous successes over the years? There was virtually no hope for this land-locked country. Had it not been for the visionary statesman Sir Seretse Khama (July 1, 1921 – July 13, 1980), the country would not have seen the light of development. Where there is no vision, people die. Here was a leader who suffered discrimination due to interracial marriage but set his feet to steer the present day Botswana to greatness. In the immediate past and presently, there are highly motivated public managers, good politics and rule of the law, hardworking and less corrupt citizens both in rural and urban settings. A combination of these factors are recipes for success in any organisation. Botswana has maintained one of the world’s highest economic growth rates since independence. It is one of Africa’s most stable countries and has the continent’s longest continuous multi-party democracy. Full article at newvision.co.ug/news/661777-what-uganda-can-learn-from-botswana-s-growth-miracle.html
Posted on: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 05:51:42 +0000
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