The National Planning Authority (NPA) has been urged to revisit its priorities in the upcoming National Development Plan (NDP) IV to address concerns raised by various stakeholders.
This appeal was made by Members of Parliament during a meeting with NPA officials, led by the Executive Director, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. The session, chaired by Budget Committee Chairperson Hon. Patrick Isiagi, focused on reviewing the draft NDP IV.
West Budama County North MP, Hon. Maximus Ochai, stressed the importance of redefining key priorities. He highlighted regional development initiatives, particularly for underdeveloped areas in the Karamoja, Bukedi, and Busoga sub-regions.
“I propose that the NPA revisits its priorities and concentrates on the most critical areas. This year, let’s focus on the regions that have been largely left behind. I wish NPA could streamline these priorities and address the needs of the most disadvantaged communities,” Ochai said.
He also suggested strengthening NPA’s capacity for long-term planning under the Development Plan Implementation Programme, which would complement ongoing efforts to enhance planning units across government institutions.
Pian County MP, Hon. Remigio Achia, similarly noted that certain parts of the country have been repeatedly excluded from national development strategies. He advocated for equitable planning to ensure balanced regional representation.
“How do you prioritize more roads in one region than another? Equity was highlighted, yet this NDP document doesn’t address it. For instance, in human capital development, we see funding allocated to universities in Soroti, Kabale, MUBS, Mbarara, and Makerere, but since 2015, Mt. Moroto University has remained at the foundational stage,” Achia said.
He underscored the strategic importance of Mt. Moroto University, suggesting it should offer programs in minerals, water management, and livestock—key areas for regional development.
Gomba District Woman MP, Hon. Sylvia Nayebale, echoed the call for regional equity. She argued that Uganda is missing out on tourism opportunities due to the lack of direct domestic flights, forcing tourists to rely on road transport.
“Tourists currently fly from Rwanda to Kisoro and then drive to Ugandan attractions, yet domestic flights could save time. We need regional airports to support the tourism sector,” Nayebale remarked.
Meanwhile, political parties have been encouraged to align their manifestos with the NDP IV, which is under parliamentary review. The Minister of State for Finance (Planning), Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, made this appeal after Bunya South MP, Hon. Idi Isabirye, raised concerns about projects featured in political party manifestos that are absent from the NDP.
Lugoloobi noted that a mid-term review of the plan is scheduled, providing an opportunity to incorporate issues from the ruling party’s manifesto.
Hon. Isiagi proposed that the NDP review be conducted annually instead of the current two-and-a-half-year cycle. However, Lugoloobi rejected this suggestion, stating that existing policy mandates a review every two and a half years.
