Outgoing NPA chair Mugerwa hands over office

PIC: Outgoing NPA chairman was appointed by President Museveni in 2008. (File photo)

By Pascal Kwesiga and Subaiha Nakandi         

KAMPALA - Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa, who has been the chairman of the National Planning Authority (NPA) for the last 10 years, has handed over office after the expiry of his tenure.

Mugerwa, who was appointed by President Yoweri Museveni to head the authority in 2008, handed over the office to the state minister for finance in charge of planning, David Bahati, at the planning house in Kampala on Wednesday.

In a short speech before handing over, Kisamba said a lot has been achieved under his ten-year tenure at the national planning authority and that the country is now on the right path to achieve its transformation goals.

"We have set the foundation. All we need now is to work on efficiency in delivering the projects.

"We have increased power generation and enrollment in schools and reduced infant and maternal deaths.

"Roads have also been build and we need to improve on decision making and projects' implementation to increase our competiveness," Kisamba said.

The outgoing Chairperson, National Planning Authority (NPA) Wilberforce Kisamba Mugerwa (centre) appending his signature on a document during the handover ceremony NPA on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 as the State Minister for Planning David Bahati (left)  and another dignitary look on. (Credit: Shamim Saad)
 
At the helm of NPA, Kisamba has presided over the formulation of the two National Development Plans and Vision 2040 for Uganda.

He holds a PhD in agricultural economics from Makerere University and plenty of experience in development planning.

Bahati said the president is expected to announce Kisamba's replacement soon.

"The president makes such appointments, but he has not yet done so. I think he is going to appoint someone very soon," the minister said.