21 May 2014

Uganda minister for State Presidency and Economic Monitoring, Mr Henry Benyanzaki has hailed Botswana for its good governance, peace and tranquility that has reigned in the country for a long time.

Mr Benyanzaki said this on May 21, when bidding farewell to the acting Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Shaw Kgathi after a four-day fact finding mission to Botswana.

He said Botswana and Uganda had harmonious relations that enhanced good governance adding that he was looking forward to continued relations which will benefit both countries.

He expressed the wish to see Botswana’s continued relations with Uganda as his delegation realised that there was a lot to learn from especially in terms of performance monitoring system.

He said, he realised that Uganda, as Botswana has done, needs to do a lot in terms capacity building within its cabinet especially with the establishment of the Permanent Secretary to the President who is responsible for enhancing performance within the public service.

He said Botswana’s public service establishment is largely Batswana, a sign that Botswana is proud to use its local brains, a sign that indeed African brains have the ability to build and sustain governance.

Mr Benyanzaki told Minister Kgathi that he was also impressed by Botswana’s commitment to managing its extractive resources for the benefit and improving livelihoods of Batswana.

“This shows that we do not have to go to any afar places to learn from the best, but have Africans who utilizes their brains for the success of their countries”, he said.

He said Botswana has also done exceptionally well in contract negotiations, a thing he said has not been common among the African nations. He cited the relocation of the Diamond Trading Company to Botswana as one of the best contract negotiations that Botswana will always shine on.

For his part, Mr Kgathi appreciated the Ugandan delegation and pledged support to the country.

Mr Kgathi said Africa has a major task in removing the stigma of being known as a continent known for corruption and political turmoil, hunger, poverty and starvation.

He said he has a strong conviction that as Africans begin to interact, will move towards the right direction of removing the stigma.

“Botswana is willing to share its experience and accomplishment with fellow Africans in order for them to attain what Botswana has attained in order to improve the African continent’s image to the entire world”, he said. Ends