The Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs will be operationalized in 2018/19 Financial Year (FY) that starts in July this year.
A Report of the Committee on Presidential Affairs on The Ministerial Policy Statements and Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2018/19 obtained by Business Focus recommends that the ministry gets its independence from the Office of the President starting the coming FY.
“The Committee observed that the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs is still housed under Vote OO1, Office of the president. In the FY 2017/18 report on Ministerial Policy Statement, Parliament adopted the Committee recommendation that the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs be operationalized, and given a Vote. This is yet to be seen,” the report reads in part.
It adds: “The Committee has scrutinized the underfunded activities of the Ministry of Kampala Capital City Authority and Metropolitan Affairs and considers Ushs0.70bn for non-wage recurrent activities and Ushs1.65bn for development activities critical for developing a harmonized, physical plan for the Kampala metropolitan, evaluation of policy framework governing the development and service delivery in the KCCA and monitoring KCCA programs.”
The Committee report recommends that Shs2.20bn be provided to the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs.
“The Committee further recommends that activities and resources of the Ministry for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs be put under a stand-alone program in FY 2018/I9,” the report says, adding: “The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development allocates a Vote to the Ministry of Kampala Capital City Authority and Metropolitan Affairs to enable it effectively execute its mandate.”
It should be noted that the minister for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Beti Kamya a few months ago revealed that government had drafted a grand plan to take over the development of Kampala Metropolitan area which includes Kampala, Wakiso, Mpigi and Mukono districts.
This created a heated debate, with sections of Opposition politicians opposing the plan.
