Written By |
Government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua
Search
By Our Writer
In a significant development ahead of a key meeting at State House Entebbe, the Government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua, has revealed that the NRM Caucus will make a final decision on the proposed rationalization of 16 government agencies. Among these is the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), whose future has sparked considerable debate among MPs.
Addressing journalists at Parliament, Obua said the meeting, chaired by President Museveni, will focus on finalizing consensus around the 16 Bills under consideration. This comes after an earlier caucus meeting postponed discussions, pending consultation with the President. During today’s session, Museveni is expected to report on his consultations with members of the three Parliamentary Committees of Agriculture, Finance, and National Economy, who had debated the agencies' rationalization.
"The NRM caucus meeting at State House Entebbe is aimed at generating the last consensus on the 16 remaining Bills under rationalization before they are tabled,” Obua explained. He added that the caucus would deliberate on the President's feedback and come to an agreement on the way forward for these agencies.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Lwanga, the Njeru Municipality MP and a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP), confirmed that he would be attending the caucus meeting, despite being from the opposition. He argued that his role as a representative of Ugandans at the national level justified his attendance.
"I am a member of National Unity Platform who represents all Ugandans at the national level, but I am going to State House to meet the head of state and the head of the Executive," Lwanga said.
Jimmy Lwanga, the Njeru Municipality MP
Lwanga, who is involved in the coffee business, expressed his opposition to the proposal of transferring UCDA’s functions to the Ministry of Agriculture. He noted that, during a recent meeting between the President and the MPs of the Agriculture, National Economy, and Finance Committees, there was consensus that UCDA should remain. However, a clause had been included to empower the Ministry of Agriculture in preparation for a potential future takeover.
“As someone in the coffee business, UCDA has done a great job, and we are going to stand together with those saying UCDA should stay because it has boosted the value of coffee in Uganda,” Lwanga emphasized.
Lwanga's stance aligns with that of the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus, who have also voiced strong opposition to the rationalization of UCDA, arguing that the agency has significantly contributed to the growth of Uganda's coffee industry. As the debate heats up, the NRM caucus meeting will likely play a critical role in determining whether UCDA, along with other agencies, will face restructuring or retain its current mandate.
The outcome of the caucus meeting will set the stage for the next steps in Uganda's government restructuring process, with the future of key agencies like UCDA hanging in the balance.
Torch Media Africa
