Japan applauds the Govt for self-reliance, domestic growth

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At a recent JICA Chair event held at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Japan lauded Uganda for its strong commitment to self-reliance, focusing on sustainable development without over-relying on foreign aid.

The event emphasized the potential risks and benefits of foreign aid while advocating for Uganda to strengthen its domestic business environment and harness its vast agricultural resources for long-term growth.

Keynote speaker, Prof. KATO Hiroshi, of Japan's International University praised Uganda's approach, saying, "Foreign aid can be a double-edged sword. If used wisely, it can foster development, but if mishandled, it can breed corruption, inefficiency, and external interference."

He acknowledged Uganda's ability to manage foreign aid effectively, without allowing external actors to dictate its domestic affairs.

This strategy, according to Hiroshi, is key to Uganda's resilience and economic independence.

Prof. Hiroshi cited a recent instance where Uganda stood firm against international pressure from the World Bank over the country’s anti-homosexuality law.

President Yoweri Museveni’s refusal to back down despite the threat of aid cuts demonstrated Uganda's strong sense of sovereignty.

"This shows Uganda is not blindly following external directives," said Hiroshi. "The government’s refusal to yield to external interference is commendable and reflects the country's commitment to deciding its own path."

While recognizing the role of foreign investors, Hiroshi emphasized that Uganda’s growth must be led by domestic initiatives. "Yes, it’s good to invite foreign investors, but the most important thing for Uganda is to focus on building its own domestic business environment," Prof. Hiroshi explained.

He urged the Ugandan government to prioritize the development of local entrepreneurs and investors to drive the economy forward.

One of the key areas he encouraged Uganda to explore is agriculture and agro-industry. With its rich soils and abundant natural resources, Uganda has enormous potential in this sector.

Prof. Hiroshi emphasized that developing agriculture and agro-industries, especially in rural areas, could serve as a cornerstone for sustainable economic growth.

"In many African countries, rural-based agro-industries are growing, and with Uganda's vast agricultural potential, this is an area that should be explored further," he said.

He called on Uganda to tap into these resources and create more opportunities for local farmers and businesses.

Japan's commitment to supporting Uganda's development extends beyond mere foreign aid. Through programs such as the Africa Business Education (ABE) initiative, Japan has already started building stronger ties between the private sectors of both countries.

Under this program, young Ugandans are sent to Japan for education and training, with the expectation that they will serve as a bridge between Uganda and Japan’s private sectors.

Japan has been cautious in its use of foreign aid, with a focus on minimizing its negative effects while maximizing its positive impact.

Prof. Hiroshi highlighted Japan’s approach to aid, explaining, "Japan does not use foreign aid as a means of political intervention. Instead, we focus on doing the right thing in the right way, with long-term commitments and a focus on joint knowledge creation."

He explained that Japan’s aid is guided by a commitment to empower local people and ensure that development projects are sustainable.
While foreign aid can play a role in Uganda’s development, Prof. Hiroshi warned that over-reliance on it could be detrimental.

"Foreign aid, if misused, can lead to dependency, corruption, and inefficiency. However, Uganda has shown a strong sense of ownership in its use of aid, and this is why the country has been able to use it more effectively," he noted.

He advised Uganda to continue on this path by focusing on domestic development and prioritizing sectors like agriculture, which have the potential to transform the economy.

Yoshimura Tomotaka, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Uganda, encouraged participants to understand Uganda's past and future national development, highlighting Japan's support over the past 60 years.

"Japan has been supporting Uganda with diversified schemes, including human resource development support," he said.

James Baba, former ambassador to Japan, added insights into the longstanding relationship between the two nations.

"The Japanese government has set up an institutional framework for cooperation called TICAD, which stands for the Tokyo International Conference on African Development. It was during one of these conferences that heads of state, including my own president, said, 'For others to help us more, let us do business with people so that we have the capacity to earn our own income.' That's when the Japanese government created the framework allowing us to export almost anything into Japan, except arms. There are over 100 products we can export."

Despite these opportunities, Baba noted the challenges Uganda faces in maximizing this framework. "Japan is far in the Far East, so shipping is expensive. We've also struggled with volumes. Take coffee and vanilla. For example, once, we couldn't meet the large vanilla order placed by Japan. The market was there, but we couldn't supply enough. For coffee, while the market exists, the quality often doesn't meet Japanese standards," Baba explained.