Parliament Halts Planning Boards Integration over Financial Implication Controversy

Parliament halted the integration of the National Physical Planning Board and National Population Council into the National Planning Authority (NPA) after Members of Parliament (MPs) questioned the authenticity of financial implication certificates issued by the Ministry of Finance.

During the plenary session on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the National Planning Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was tabled. The bill aimed to amend the National Planning Authority Act, 2002, transferring the functions of the National Population Council and National Physical Planning to the NPA.

According to Minister of Public Service, Muruuli Mukasa, integrating the National Population Council would save the government approximately Shs 11.9 billion, while Shs 4.5 billion would be saved through the integration of the National Physical Planning Board.

Chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Amos Kankunda, noted that transferring these functions would enhance coordination between physical planning and national development strategies.

However, the cost implications for the NPA’s expanded mandate were not provided, prompting Speaker Annet Anita Among to request satisfactory financial implication certificates from the ministry.

Kampala Central Member of Parliament, Muhammad Nsereko, expressed concerns that merging these functions could exacerbate Uganda’s poor physical planning, potentially turning it into the world’s largest slum. He questioned whether the NPA possesses the expertise needed for effective land use management and distribution, emphasizing the specialized nature of physical planning.

Deputy Attorney General, Jackson Kafuuzi, who supported the merger, acknowledged the need for clarification and committed to presenting a follow-up document to address the concerns raised by MPs regarding the legality of the financial implication certificates.