MPs want presidential advisers reduced
Sep 04, 2009
MPS want the number of presidential advisers and resident districts commissioners (RDCs) reduced to cut the high administration costs.
By Mary Karugaba and Catherine Bekunda
MPS want the number of presidential advisers and resident districts commissioners (RDCs) reduced to cut the high administration costs.
The report by the committee on presidential affairs presented to Parliament on Tuesday indicated that there were 59 presidential advisers who are paid about sh3m per month.
The Government spends over sh2b annually on advisers.
The MPs recommended that the advisers be reduced to ensure quality services.
The committee chairperson, Gerald Menhya, called for the streamlining of recruitment policies in order to rationalise the roles and terms of service of RDCs and presidential advisers.
Opposition chief whip Kassiano Wadri questioned the advisers’ performance “These people are too many and I doubt some of them have ever spoken to the President. Why should we incur such expenses on people who are not doing any work?â€
He also questioned their qualification, saying most of them were appointed after being dropped from Parliament or districts.
Opposition MPs expressed anger over the Government’s plan to recruit assistant RDCs in charge of youth and patriotism clubs.
The MPs were also concerned about the increasing cost of public administration as a result of renting office space by ministries.
Out of 49 ministries and departments, only 21 are housed in government buildings.
Menhya also told Parliament that although Uganda would to host the annual African conference of the International Federation Against Corruption, no money had been allocated for the activity.
MPS want the number of presidential advisers and resident districts commissioners (RDCs) reduced to cut the high administration costs.
The report by the committee on presidential affairs presented to Parliament on Tuesday indicated that there were 59 presidential advisers who are paid about sh3m per month.
The Government spends over sh2b annually on advisers.
The MPs recommended that the advisers be reduced to ensure quality services.
The committee chairperson, Gerald Menhya, called for the streamlining of recruitment policies in order to rationalise the roles and terms of service of RDCs and presidential advisers.
Opposition chief whip Kassiano Wadri questioned the advisers’ performance “These people are too many and I doubt some of them have ever spoken to the President. Why should we incur such expenses on people who are not doing any work?â€
He also questioned their qualification, saying most of them were appointed after being dropped from Parliament or districts.
Opposition MPs expressed anger over the Government’s plan to recruit assistant RDCs in charge of youth and patriotism clubs.
The MPs were also concerned about the increasing cost of public administration as a result of renting office space by ministries.
Out of 49 ministries and departments, only 21 are housed in government buildings.
Menhya also told Parliament that although Uganda would to host the annual African conference of the International Federation Against Corruption, no money had been allocated for the activity.