commentary 13 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Progress Hinges on Sustained Willpower, Not Just Policy
While Uganda often crafts sound policies, consistent implementation has been a historical hurdle. Recent successes in areas like trade order and infrastructure suggest that decisive action, rooted in political and administrative will, can drive significant positive change. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/commentary/where-there-s-a-will-there-s-a-way-5457482
Uganda’s journey towards transformation is often hampered not by a lack of sound laws or policies, but by a chronic deficit in their consistent implementation. This was a sentiment echoed by Mr. Brian Mukalazi, CEO of Talis Consults Ltd, in a commentary for Daily Monitor.
Mukalazi points to the Kampala Capital City Authority’s (KCCA) recent efforts to enforce trade order as a potential turning point. Years of urban chaos, with illegal structures and roadside trading, had become normalized. However, a renewed commitment from KCCA has seen many traders relocated and a degree of sanity return to the city’s streets, making roads and walkways more accessible.
This newfound effectiveness is not an isolated incident. The rapid construction of Hoima City Stadium within a year, contrasted with the prolonged refurbishment of Mandela National Stadium, highlights how urgency and purpose, rather than just resources, can yield results. Similarly, the Kampala–Entebbe Expressway stands out as a well-maintained road with responsive management, and the swift conclusion of a murder trial offers a rare glimpse of efficiency in the justice system.
Improvements in passport processing, tax administration, and driver licensing through automation and oversight further demonstrate that when public institutions are intentional, progress is achievable. Mukalazi argues that many of Uganda’s challenges are less about capacity and more about commitment, citing the pervasive issue of corruption as an example of a widespread problem that is often tolerated rather than decisively addressed.
The petroleum sector, where the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) took over as sole importer, serves as a cautionary tale. Despite assurances of adequate reserves, fuel prices surged following international conflict, with limited visible enforcement against potential hoarding.
The overarching lesson is clear: Uganda’s primary constraint is inconsistency of will. When leaders prioritize action over rhetoric and enforce accountability without exception, tangible results follow. If the resolve seen in trade order enforcement can be maintained and extended across all sectors, Uganda’s aspiration for development could well become an inevitable reality.
This article is based on commentary from the Daily Monitor.