Musasizi asks govt planners to focus resources on corruption fight, tenfold growth

KAMPALA - General duties state minister Henry Musasizi has challenged planners at both central and local government levels to focus resources on areas that are critical to the success of the tenfold growth and fight corruption.

Closing a one-day meeting between the finance ministry and the planners at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala city, Musasizi asked the planners to help the Government in the fight against corruption, mischarges, supplementary requests, and all related budget games.

"I want to urge you to be useful planners, planners who are relevant," he said, adding that there is a need to professionalise the planning cadre to perform effectively and efficiently.

The meeting was organised to deliberate on issues impacting the planning and budgeting function across the Government. This follows another meeting held recently with All Accounting Officers on budget execution for FY 2025/26.

Finance ministry permanent secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) Ramathan Ggoobi challenged the planners to align institutional work plans to the national development strategy, and also ensure efficiency in service delivery.

He said all government policies and plans must be guided by the Tenfold Growth Strategy, the National Development Plan, Programme Implementation Action Plans, MDA Strategic Plans, Annual Workplans, and budgets.

Ggoobi encouraged Planners to allocate resources to more critical priority areas (ATMS and Enablers) that will deliver results in line with the socio-economic transformation agenda of Uganda.

"As Planners, you ought to guide allocation of resources to essential areas and minimise accumulation of domestic arrears," he said, adding that those found culpable will be sanctioned together with their accounting officers.

Ggoobi also cautioned the planners to guard against engaging in budget games during planning, budgeting, execution, and reporting.

Some of these budget games include requesting more than what the MDA requires - this is called “Padding Play” and playing the ''crisis card'' game where a ministry, department or agency (MDA) claims that there will be catastrophic outcomes for the public if their request is not fulfilled.

Ggoobi encouraged Planners to allocate resources to more critical priority areas (ATMS and Enablers) that will deliver results in line with the socio-economic transformation agenda of Uganda. (Courtesy Photo)

The other common game among others is the ''mandate masquerade'' where MDAs emphasise their mandate to justify budget requests.

The PSST said the issue of the structure of the Planning cadre will be resolved in consultation with the Ministry of Public Service.

Regarding the professionalism of the Economist/Planner cadre, Ggoobi said plans are underway to address this matter, adding that he has already constituted a team, supported by the Ministry of Public Service and National Planning Authority, to expedite the review of this profession.

"I have also directed Accounting Officers to adequately facilitate the planning function across all Votes," said the PSST.

Earlier, the chairperson of planners, Gideon Mugulusi, requested the Government to introduce a planning conditional grant to facilitate planning activities such as data management, monitoring, and evaluation.

He also called upon the Government to address the issue of salary disparities and required technical capacity to deliver as expected. 

Ggoobi, in response, said their salaries will be enhanced in a phased manner.