Parliament wants National Planning Authority autonomous

By Umaru Kashaka and Paul Kiwuuwa

MPs on the national economy want the Government to separate the National Planning Authority (NPA) from the finance ministry to allow it realise its plans.

In a consultative meeting with MPs on the draft Vision 2040 last week, the legislators observed that NPA cannot be powerful and assertive when it is still under the control of the finance ministry.

“The finance ministry mothered NPA, but it can’t allow it to grow on its own. It should stop being in the armpits of the ministry because this is making it impotent and can’t think on its own,” Stephen Mukitale, the committee chairman, argued.

Mukitale threatened to move a Private Members’ Bill if the Government fails to accord NPA a separate home.

“We need to pressurise the Government to give NPA a separate home or else we pass a Bill because we have been agitating for this for quite a long time,” he remarked. He added that on many occasions, NPA had been at loggerheads with the ministry, observing that it is high time this business stopped.

“There is hegemony in the Government. Where there is money, there must be a fight over where to put that money. As a committee, we are going to work with the finance ministry to see how we make NPA potent,” he promised.

The Dokoro MP Okot Ogong wondered why NPA is still under the control of the finance ministry yet the law stipulates that it should be independent.

“The law is very clear; NPA should be autonomous and this will make it assertive and strong. They should take charge and make sure the Government implements the vision. Otherwise they’re not moving at the same wavelength with the Government,” he observed.

Matia Kasaija, the finance state minister, welcomed the idea, but said the prerogative is with the President.

“I personally agree with MPs that NPA should have its own home so that it can make its own budget, priorities and have the mandate to execute its plans,” he said.

He added that if other countries are doing it, Uganda could.

“This is the business in other countries, but still it’s the President’s prerogative and he decided it should be under finance,” the minister observed. The NPA chairperson, Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa, echoed the MPs call, saying the separation will help the entity become effective and assertive.