The Central Executive Committee of the ruling National Resistance Movement has been told that for the party to drive the country forward and economically transform the society, leaders must appreciate the importance of science and technology to drive socio-economic transformation.
President Yoweri Museveni the party chairman told CEC that this, coupled with understanding the correctness of the movement ideology that emphasizes Patriotism, pan-Africanism, socio-economic transformation and democracy” and the existing strategic bottlenecks that have hindered the development of Uganda.
The advice was carried in the President’s key note address to the Central Executive Committee at the on going retreat at Chobe Safari Lodge in Nwoya district, entitled “Ideology and Strategy”. Mr. Museveni said that societies that continue lagging behind in science and technology are in a danger of being squandered, dominated or even exterminated by others as has happened to some races in the past.
He further reminded CEC members that whereas the Africa continent was the origin of man, pioneer of civilization and took part in major technological and social revolutions in human history, the continent’s failure to effectively participate in the science and technological revolutions led to the continent suffering a number of calamities in the last 500 years that included slave trade, genocide, colonialism, neo-colonialism and marginalization.
Adding, that the lagging behind in technology by Africans did not only make them to be dominated by other men but also by nature. He said that because they cannot tame nature, they are still affected by natural factors such as floods, drought, diseases famine and many others.
The NRM Chairman underscore the importance of increased investment in science and technology for the future of Uganda and Africa noting that the lagging behind in science and technology by the African continent is the original sin that led to the suffering and domination of the African people.
The President said that Uganda and the African continent must keep abreast with scientific and technological knowledge because that is what distinguishes man from other creatures and said that was the reason he proposed good remuneration for scientists in government that he said some attempted to oppose.
On the movement ideology that emphasizes nationalism, pan-Africanism, Socio-Economic transformation and democracy, the President said that nationalism and pan-africanism was important for prosperity and strategic security of Africans.
He said that the continent cannot guarantee its prosperity without big markets for its goods and services and without solving strategic inferiority in defence terms against global threats unless it also carries out political integration.
He said that the enemies of Africa are those who push for divisive and sectarian lines and don’t see the importance of integration.