PACEID breaks silence on Rwabwogo attacks

The Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID) has accused unnamed individuals of waging what it describes as a coordinated social media campaign of falsehoods and personal attacks against the institution and its chairman, Odrek Rwabwogo.

PACEID says the accusations are intended to damage its reputation rather than promote public accountability. In a statement issued on July 28, PACEID said it welcomes scrutiny and informed public debate but drew a distinction between legitimate criticism and what it called “falsehoods, distortions and personal attacks.”

“While PACEID welcomes constructive criticism, informed public debate and accountability, we are concerned by the increasing circulation of falsehoods, distortions and personal attacks that appear to be intended not to promote the public interest but to undermine the reputation of an institution and its individuals dedicated to advancing Uganda’s export and industrial development agenda,” the committee said.

The statement comes amid an increasingly public dispute involving Rwabwogo and David Kabanda, the MP for Kasambya County in Mubende and head of the chairman’s office in the Patriot League of Uganda.

PACEID, however, did not respond to any specific allegations. Instead, it sought to reassure the public that its work remains focused on growing Uganda’s exports, supporting industrialisation, increasing value addition and expanding market access for Ugandan products.

PACEID said its achievements over the past four years are a matter of public record and can be verified through government institutions, private-sector partners and businesses it has worked with.

According to the committee, its work has centred on four priorities: improving market access for Ugandan exporters, helping businesses meet regional and international quality standards, reducing transport and logistics costs, and supporting export firms to access affordable financing.

It argued that these efforts have produced measurable results despite what it described as attempts to distract the institution from its mandate. Looking ahead, the committee said it is entering what it calls “PACEID 2.0”, the next phase of its strategy.

The new focus, it said, will be on addressing supply-side challenges that continue to limit Uganda’s export potential.

Among the planned interventions are Regional Aggregation Centres to help consolidate produce and improved data collection to better support farmers.

PACEID also said it wants to tackle persistent problems such as exporters failing to meet large orders because of inadequate supply and the continued export of unprocessed products, which limits the country’s earnings from value addition.

The committee also signalled that it would not engage in public exchanges with its critics.

“We therefore refuse to be drawn into personal exchanges or campaigns of vilification. Instead, we remain committed to transparency, professionalism and factual communication,” the statement said.

It added that where statements are considered false or defamatory and cross legal or regulatory boundaries, PACEID “reserve[s] the right to seek appropriate redress through the relevant institutions established under the laws of Uganda.”

The post PACEID breaks silence on Rwabwogo attacks appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.