Early indications suggest potential financial implications for the government if the proposed merger between the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) proceeds.
Members of Parliament disclosed concerns regarding the potential costs and effectiveness of the merger during a recent session.
The government has been contemplating the rationalization of agencies for over four years, requiring legislative amendments as many of the affected agencies were established by parliamentary acts. Notable agencies recommended for dissolution and integration into mother Ministries include UNRA, NAADs, UCDA, CDF, and NITA-U, as outlined in a bill introduced by Public Service Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa.
Under the proposed changes, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) would transfer the responsibility of registering marriages to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), while the National Population Council and the National Physical Planning Council would merge into the National Planning Authority.
During a parliamentary session, MPs highlighted significant potential consequences of merging UNRA with the Ministry of Works and Transport. Minister of Works and Transport Gen Edward Katumba Wamala initially presented the merger as beneficial, suggesting it would reduce government expenditure on wages by over Shs39 billion monthly. He proposed reallocating these savings towards road construction to address the country’s infrastructure needs.
Gen Katumba emphasized that the merger would improve command and control, leading to more effective service delivery. He assured MPs that UNRA staff would be absorbed into the Ministry of Works, minimizing concerns about unemployment.
Despite these arguments, the Physical Infrastructure Committee of Parliament warned that eliminating UNRA could cause project delays. Committee Chairperson Dan Kimosho stressed UNRA’s importance in meeting Uganda’s infrastructure demands, advocating for strengthening the agency rather than relocating it.
The committee noted UNRA’s role in implementing projects financed by loans, highlighting the potential challenges and uncertainties associated with changing the implementing agency.
In summary, while the proposed merger aims to streamline government operations and reduce costs, concerns remain about its potential impact on project implementation and infrastructure development.
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