Finance Ministry Meets Central and Local Government Planners
Minister of State for General Duties Henry Musasizi has challenged the Planners at both central and local government level to focus resources on areas which are critical to the success of the NRM Government and the Tenfold Growth.
Musasizi made the remarks while closing a one-day meeting between Ministry of Finance and the Planners at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The meeting was organized to deliberate on issues impacting the planning and budgeting function across Government. This follows another meeting held recently with All Accounting Officers on budget execution for FY 2025/26.
Musasizi tasked the Planners to help 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," said the Minister, adding that there is need to professionalize the Planning Cadre to perform effectively and efficiently.
The Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), Ramathan Ggoobi also challenged 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, Program 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 minimize accumulation of domestic arrears," said the PSST, adding that those found culpable will be sanctioned together with their Accounting Officers.
Ggoobi also cautioned 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.
The other common game among others is the ''mandate masquerade'' where MDAs emphasize 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 under way 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 Government to introduce a planning conditional grant to facilitate planning activities such as data management, monitoring and evaluation.
He also called upon Government to address the issue of salary disparities and required technical capacity to deliver as expected. The PSST in response said their salaries will be enhanced in a phased manner.