The Ugandan government clarifies that there are no plans to merge the Uganda Media Centre, affirming its status as a stand-alone unit under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance. Information Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi emphasized this decision amid discussions about merging and rationalizing various government entities.
President Yoweri Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary caucus recently outlined a strategy to merge and rationalize 33 government entities, aiming to save shillings 1 trillion annually. Museveni stressed the importance of rationalization supporting wealth creators for the country’s development.
However, Dr Baryomunsi disclosed that the Uganda Media Centre, along with anti-corruption agencies and profit-making entities, will be spared from rationalization. The final list of exempt agencies will be released soon.
Dr Baryomunsi shared this information during a media briefing, addressing plans to reintroduce the Rationalisation of Government Agencies (Repeals and Amendments) Bill 2023. The bill aims to merge and streamline government entities to enhance efficiency and reduce expenditure. It seeks to repeal and amend 37 Acts of Parliament affecting various government ministries, departments, and agencies.
Efforts to table the bill last year faced challenges as Parliament rejected it, leading to revisions by the Cabinet before reintroduction.
