Peace has enabled Uganda to achieve economic growth for the past 25yrs of NRM government according to Prof Ezra Suruma. He made the remarks yesterday during the launch of his book, “Advancing the Ugandan Economy: A Personal Account” at Makerere University.

The background of the book is political and essentially attempts to show why and how in the past 25yrs, Uganda economy has been going in a positive direction by comparing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of different stage in Uganda’s political transformation.

From 1951-61, the colonial era, GDP was 01.4 percent, from 1971-97, it was -2.6 percent, from 1981-86, GDP was 0.8 percent, from 1986-96, it was 2.5 percent, from 1996, GDP grew from 3.6 percent and above.

H.E Edward K. Ssekandi, Vice President of the republic of Uganda, Guest of Honour lauded Suruma for dedicating his time to chronicle Uganda’s economic transformation. He called upon more Ugandans to ‘put ideas in writing and share them with public.’

“This book mirrors well our country’s political, economical and social trends. It also offers suggestions about how to solve challenges that Uganda face,” Ssekandi said

The launch attracted a number of distinguished guests who reviewed different of chapters of the book. They included Dr Mary Mugyenyi, former minister, MP and patron of Joshua Mugyenyi foundation, Gen. Salim Saleh, senior defence presidential advisor, Nandala Mafabi, Budadiri West Member of Parliament among others.

How Suruma Joined Politics

He joined politics in 1979 after attending a public lecture organised by Late Joshua Mugyenyi, a political science don at Makerere University. Mugyenyi was addressing University students about   political turmoil of Amin’s era.

“It was the first time to find someone intelligent, powerful and courageous speaking his mind...I was stimulated after a heated argument and joined Mugyenyi to form a political party, Uganda National Movement.” Suruma reminisced.

Months later, president Museveni convinced them to join him and form one political party that contested in the 1980 general elections.

“We were young people and bright and other people looked at us and thought we were joking...they said that we did not have a group to represent since UPC was for protestant while DP was for Catholics.”

Prof Seruma is the senior presidential advisor on Finance and Planning, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institute in Washington DC, Africa Initiative Growth section and former Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in the NRM government from 2005 to 2009. He lectured at Makerere between 1973-75 and 1979-81.