The Government of Uganda is set to reintroduce a legislative proposal aimed at returning the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) to the Ministry of Works and Transport. This decision follows Parliament’s rejection earlier this year of the Uganda National Roads Authority (Repeal) Bill, 2024, which sought to merge UNRA back into the ministry’s fold.
Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, confirmed to New Vision on Thursday that the Government plans to resubmit the Bill for reconsideration when Parliament reconvenes from its one-month recess on July 23, 2024. The decision to reintroduce the Bill stems from concerns raised by Members of Parliament regarding financial implications and potential job losses resulting from the merger.
“We are preparing to retable the Bills so that we can address the issues raised by MPs. There were concerns about the clarity on financial implications and the impact on human resources,” stated Baryomunsi, who is also a Member of Parliament.
Legislative Process and Government’s Response
The process of resubmitting the Bills involves drafting them afresh to incorporate parliamentary feedback and concerns. The Directorate of First Parliamentary Counsel is tasked with preparing these legislative drafts, which will be subject to further debate and scrutiny in Parliament.
Minister Baryomunsi emphasized the iterative nature of legislative processes, highlighting the collaborative effort between the executive and legislative branches in shaping national policy and governance.
Arguments for and Against the Merger
During the initial debate in April 2024, General Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, advocated for merging UNRA with the ministry, citing potential cost savings and improved administrative efficiency. He argued that integrating UNRA’s operations would streamline decision-making and eliminate duplicative roles within the ministry.
“UNRA operates with a significantly larger budget and staffing than the Ministry of Works. Consolidating these entities would lead to better resource management and coordination,” General Katumba asserted during parliamentary deliberations.
He further assured that all UNRA staff would be absorbed into the ministry under existing Public Service terms, mitigating concerns over job losses resulting from the merger.
Parliamentary Opposition and Committee Findings
However, opposition to the merger was staunch, particularly from the Chairperson of the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, Dan Kimosho. In his report to Parliament, Kimosho defended UNRA’s autonomy, highlighting its pivotal role in expanding Uganda’s road infrastructure over the past 15 years.
“The independence of UNRA is crucial for effective management and development of our national road network, especially considering Uganda’s strategic position as a transit hub,” Kimosho argued.
The committee expressed concerns that integrating UNRA into the ministry would recreate previous administrative challenges and necessitate future reforms to restore the agency’s autonomy.
Future Implications and Legislative Outlook
Stakeholders anticipate robust debate and scrutiny over the implications of reintegrating UNRA into the Ministry of Works and Transport as Parliament prepares to revisit the UNRA Bill. The outcome of these deliberations will influence the future direction of Uganda’s infrastructure development policies and administrative structures.
