Government Rationalization Boosted with UGX 26.9 Billion Following New Legislation
Government of Uganda released UGX 26.9 billion to implement new laws aimed at rationalizing agencies, as President Museveni approved 19 Bills.
The Government has allocated UGX 26.9 billion for the rationalization of specific entities following President Yoweri Museveni’s signing of 19 enacted Bills into law on July 15, 2024.
“The President has assented to 19 Bills to rationalise particular entities, and UGX 26.9 billion has been provided to facilitate this process,” Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, informed all government accounting officers on Thursday 25th July, 2024.
This announcement was made during a meeting with all government accounting officers regarding the 2024/25 financial year budget at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
The new laws include: The Registration of Persons (Amendment) Act, 2024; The Uganda Wildlife Authority (Amendment) Act, 2024; The Registration of Persons (Amendment) Act, 2024; The Uganda Trypanosomiasis Control Council (Repeal) Act, 2024; The Agricultural Chemicals (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2024; and The Children (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Other enacted Bills are: The National Youth Council (Amendment) Act, 2024; The Persons with Disabilities (Amendment) Act, 2024; The National Women’s Council (Amendment) Act, 2024; The National Council for Older Persons (Amendment) Act, 2024; The Non-Governmental Organisations (Amendment) Act, 2024; The National Library (Amendment) Act, 2024; The National Planning Authority (Amendment) Act, 2024; and The National Population Council (Repeal) Act, 2024.
Additionally, the new laws include: The Physical Planning (Amendment) Act, 2024; The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Act, 2024; The Tax Procedures Code (Amendment) Act, 2024; The Stamp Duty (Amendment) Act, 2024; and The Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2024.
By assenting to these Bills, President Museveni has implemented the cabinet policy aimed at rationalizing government agencies and public expenditure to enhance efficient and effective service delivery.
One of the new laws mandates the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to conduct civil marriages. The Registration of Persons (Amendment) Act, 2024 transfers the administration of marriage functions from the URSB to NIRA, consolidating the registration of all natural persons from birth, identification, marriage, and death under one agency.
The Non-Governmental Organisations (Amendment) Act, 2024, returns the mandate of the National Bureau of Non-Governmental Organisations to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as it was before its creation in 2016.
President Museveni stated on February 2, 2024, that the government would save UGX 1 trillion annually through the rationalization of its agencies.
“When we talk of rationalisation, we are talking of, first of all, doing things which are rational and save money,” he said while meeting ruling party MPs at State House, Entebbe.
He emphasized that during rationalization, the entire government structure should support wealth creators, as they are crucial for the country’s development.
The cost of public administration has increased from a little over UGX 465 billion in the 2001/2002 financial year to now UGX 3 trillion.
