MPs Reject Government Bill to Dissolve NITA -U-

Lawmakers on Wednesday voted against a government Bill aimed at dissolving the National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA-U) and transferring its functions to the Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology, and National Guidance.

The National Information Technology Authority, Uganda (Amendment) Bill, 2024, formed part of a series of bills intended to implement the government’s policy for the rationalization of government agencies and public expenditure, as endorsed by Cabinet in February 2021. The government’s rationale behind merging agencies was to enhance efficiency, prevent duplication of services, and curb wasteful expenditure.

The House Committee on ICT, responsible for scrutinizing the Bill, recommended against mainstreaming the Authority, citing the absence of mandate duplication between the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and NITA-U. The Committee highlighted NITA-U’s significant financial contributions, including approximately Shs200 billion collected over the past decade and a projected Shs150 billion over the next five years.

Deputy Chairperson of the ICT Committee, Hon. Tonny Ayoo, emphasized the unique role of NITA-U as the government’s sole IT business implementing arm. Maintaining NITA-U as an autonomous entity would facilitate the consolidation of all government Information Technology efforts.

Ayoo justified the decision to retain NITA-U as a semi-autonomous government entity, recommending the rejection of the Bill for its dissolution.

Supporting the Committee’s stance, Hon. Jane Pacuto (NRM, Pakwach district) highlighted NITA-U’s substantial revenue contributions, noting figures such as Shs18 billion in 2019/2020 and Shs45.5 billion in 2022/2023, with projections of Shs53 billion in 2023/2024 and Shs75 billion in 2025/2026.

Bugweri County MP, Hon. Abdu Katuntu, criticized the government for not conducting a thorough study on the rationalization process.

Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Baluku, and Minister of Public Service, Wilson Muruli Mukasa, failed to convince Members that NITA-U should be integrated into their respective ministries. In response, Muruli Mukasa requested more time to gather necessary evidence to support the mainstreaming of agencies.