The involvement of Uganda Cranes Head Coach Milutin Sredojevic alias Micho, in a high-level delegation led by Odrek Rwabwogo, on a visit to State House, has raised eyebrows among Ugandans, particularly on social media.
The delegation which is believed to have been put together by P.A.C.E.I.D (Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development), led by Odrek Rwabogo, is said to have met the president on matters concerning coffee promotion.
Rwabogo’s P.A.C.E.I.D has been under criticism after they successfully secured funding of up to Shs37 billion for the promotion of the coffee sector.
Netizens could not hide their shock, after photos circulated on social media, showed Micho posing as part of the delegation.
Many took to Twitter and questioned Micho’s role in the high-level delegation that was thought to discuss the coffee promotion.
One Twitter user, Innocent Jr Robin, tweeted, “What is Coach Micho, the Serbian Wolf, doing here? I thought he would be out there training the boys.”
Gava Charles, another social media user, jokingly commented, “Coach Micho? Man, are you going to coach coffee too?”
Geno Eric asked, “Isn’t that Coach Micho standing second from the right? 😬”
Papilo humorously remarked, “Coach Micho is into coffee now? 😂”
Last week, some Opposition MPs expressed anger after failed attempts to halt the allocation of Shs37 billion to Rwabwogo’s committee.
During the parliamentary session, MP Muwanga Kivumbi presented a report, revealing that P.A.C.E.I.D, headed by Rwabwogo, had appeared before the Budget Committee during a retreat at Munyonyo Resort.
Rwabwogo informed the committee that his Coffee Value Chain Development project required a budget of US$100 million.
Consequently, Rwabwogo’s project received an allocation of US$10 million (approximately Shs37 billion) in the budget.
MP Muwanga raised concerns about why such a substantial amount for a private investment was charged directly to the consolidated fund.
However, Rwabogo defended the allocation through his official Twitter account;
“There is no ‘Odrekvote’ in UGbudget. I head a 44-member committee and Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) sits in. We drive 13 agro- Industrial sectors to raise USD6bn exports by 2028. The coffee fund to underwrite invoices is for 21 coffee firms.
“Uganda firms have had limited market presence for years. 5 of the 13 sectors now have orders of up to USD550 million and we have created a revolving fund for firms to help underwrite invoices to help them supply these orders. If you want to help, don’t listen to negativity,” Rwabogo’s tweet read.
We are yet to establish what Micho’s role is in the delegation.