By Andrew Irumba
The Parliament of Uganda has invited owners of media houses under their umbrella Organization National Association of Broadcaster (NAB) for a dialogue in a bid to establish and assess the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown that was announced by president Museveni in March this year.
Through a letter dated May 29, 2020, addressed to the National Chairman of Broadcasters, Kin Kariisa, the Parliamentary Committee on National Economy headed by former energy Minister and now Nakaseke woman MP and Chairperson of the national economy committee of parliament, Hon.Syda Bbumba, media practitioners and proprietors will interface with her team this Friday June 5, 2020 at 10am.
Bbumba wants their discussion mainly to focus on the social economic challenges faced by the Central Business District (CBD) communities as a result of Covid-19 lockdown and the quick interventions Gov’t must adopt to resuscitate the economy.
The letter, signed by Dr Syda Bumba, the Chairperson of the Committee, reads in part thus
Full invitation below:
“RE: INVITATION FOR A MEETING TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF COVID ON THE ECONOMY
In a bid to save lives by slowing down the spread of COVID-19, Governments around the world have taken drastic measures, some of which have had a big impact on their economies.
In line with this, the Government of Uganda declared a partial lockdown on 31st March, 2020, to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This seems to have helped rein in the public health crisis, but is taking toll on economic activities.
The Parliamentary Committee on National Economy has considered interfacing with the private sector and other relevant stakeholders with the main objective of examining the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, and exploring modalities for recommending to Government stimuli packages for affected sectors of the economy.
This is therefore to invite you to interact with the Committee and present your evidence–based views on the impact of COVID-19 on Uganda’s economy, based on the following;
- How measures taken by Government to control the COVID-19 pandemic have economically affected business/firms in Kampala city in terms of the following areas (where applicable):
a)Business Activity
b)Income and expenditure performance
c)Supply and demand of labour (employment), including remuneration of workers.
d)Access to raw materials/inputs
e)Demand for goods and services
f)Prices of goods and services
g)Availability of credit and;
h) Financial and liquidity position, including servicing of debt and tax obligations.
2-What strategies businesses/firms in Kampala ity have put in place or are planning to put in place in the short, medium and long term to contain the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
3-What some of the future expectations for Kampala City could be, in the event that the COVID-19 containment measures persist.
4-What your perspectives /proposals are regarding the practical policy options that Government should undertake to revive economic activity for businesses/firms in Kampala city.
The meeting with you has been scheduled for Friday, 5th June 2020 at10:00AM in Conference Hall A, South Wing, Parliamentary building…”
