In the October 1 letter, Mr Museveni points out “persistent lack of seriousness by elements in the public service”, which he says is a major hindrance to efforts to empower Ugandans.

“Last month, I chaired two meetings in which I expressed my displeasure at the manner in which the above [furniture] procurement was handled by officials in the Ministry of Education and Sports. I told you and the ministers of State that the award of all the tenders under the said procurement to foreign firms upon eliminating our local enterprises from the process was a blatant violation of the government’s own “Buy Ugandan Build Uganda” policy and, therefore, unacceptable,” Museveni letter read.