The National Population Council (NPC) has advocated for the preservation of 14 of its functions upon its integration into the National Planning Authority (NPA), subsequent to the endorsement of the Bill aiming to consolidate agencies under the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.
Representatives from NPC conveyed this plea to MPs on the Finance Committee, who are reviewing the Rationalization of Government Agencies (Financial Sector) (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Upon the Bill’s enactment, the National Population Council Act, 2014 (Act 8 of 2014), which established the Council, will be nullified to prevent duplication of government roles or functions.
The Council’s functions will be transferred to NPA through modifications to the National Planning Authority Act, 2002.
Stella Kigozi, the Director for Information at NPC, urged the Committee to contemplate a proposal to maintain the Council as a department within NPA post-merger, ensuring its ability to address concerns regarding population and development.
“We have five principal roles, including spearheading population programs within the United Nations system and coordinating projects supported by our development partners. We implore that these roles be integrated into the Bill as part of the Council’s functions,” Kigozi expressed.
She also advocated for the absorption of Council staff into the NPA system before the new rationalization law takes effect.
As per the proposed Bill, Council staff serving immediately before the act’s commencement may be reassigned, subject to available positions within the public service.
Hon. Dicksons Kateshumbwa (NRM, Sheema Municipality) and Hon. Ignatius Mudimi (NRM, Elgon County) inquired whether NPC has engaged in discussions with NPA regarding staff structures and the merger’s implementation.
“You are proposing the retention of certain functions. Have you discussed the organizational structure with NPA? If additional functions are proposed, it implies additional responsibilities since you advocate for staff absorption,” Kateshumbwa observed.
“Our regulations prohibit further amendments to the Bill. Why is NPC raising this issue now? This should have been addressed through the process with NPA,” Mudimi added.
Hon. Amos Kankunda, the Committee Chairperson, queried NPC officials about the merger’s potential benefits for the government.
Kigozi informed the Committee that the proposal to integrate NPC into the National Planning Authority was initiated in 2017, highlighting synergies that have been established to facilitate the Council’s effective integration.
“The country stands to gain significantly in terms of institutional memory and expertise that the National Population Council has developed over time,” Kigozi concluded.
