Summary:
- Members of Parliament (MPs) criticized the review schedule and the plan’s expansive scope, urging for greater flexibility and realism.
KAMPALA: Legislators have raised concerns over the timelines and ambitions of Uganda’s fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), questioning its feasibility and alignment with party manifestos.
During a Budget Committee session on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Members of Parliament (MPs) criticized the review schedule and the plan’s expansive scope, urging for greater flexibility and realism.
The debate escalated when Iddi Isabirye (Bunya South) expressed dissatisfaction with the exclusion of specific road projects from NDP IV, despite their inclusion in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto.
He highlighted the absence of infrastructure investments in districts with rare earth mineral deposits, such as Bugweri, Bugiri, Mayuge, and Iganga, underscoring the importance of roads to support mineral extraction and transportation.
In response, Minister of State for Planning Amos Lugoloobi defended the plan’s timeline, explaining that NDP IV allows for a midterm review after two and a half years to accommodate a new administration’s priorities.
“The winning party has a manifesto to implement. We provided for a midterm review so the party can outline its priorities, which can be incorporated midterm,” Lugoloobi stated.
However, Budget Committee Chairperson Patrick Isiagi proposed shortening the review period to one year, arguing that the current timeline risks forcing a new administration to operate under the outgoing party’s agenda.
“We recommend a review after one year to accommodate the new party’s manifesto. Forcing parties to align completely with the development plan would lead to uniform manifestos,” Isiagi argued.
Lugoloobi countered, pointing out that political manifestos often include unrealistic promises aimed at winning elections. He insisted that technocrats should guide the government on achievable targets rather than being constrained by rigid frameworks.
During a joint committee meeting of Budget and Finance held the same day, Maximus Ochai (West Budama North) criticized NDP IV as overly ambitious given Uganda’s limited resources.
“The plan is too comprehensive for a five-year period. The National Planning Authority (NPA) should reprioritize and focus on critical areas,” Ochai suggested.
Although NDP IV proposes regional development programs to address economic disparities, Ochai recommended narrowing the focus to the poorest regions—such as Karamoja, Bukedea, and Busoga—for greater impact. He also questioned the feasibility of reducing poverty from 20.1% to 14.51%, urging the NPA to set more realistic targets.
Isiagi defended the poverty reduction goals, asserting that the government must be held accountable if the targets are missed.
“If they set the target, it’s our duty to ensure they meet it. If they fail, we will hold them accountable,” Isiagi said.
John Teira (Bugabula South) raised concerns about limited consultations during the plan’s formulation. He cited feedback from key technocrats, including Pius Bigirimana, Secretary to the Judiciary, who felt excluded from the process.
“This requires broader consultations and openness to integrating additional input into the plan,” Teira emphasized.
In contrast, Isabirye called out MPs for prioritizing constituency demands over national objectives.
“The plan addresses national priorities. MPs should avoid narrowing the debate to constituency needs. We represent the entire nation,” he stated.
