As Uganda looks forward to attaining middle income status come 2020, many scholars, think tank groups and independent minded Ugandans are pondering over a wide range of issues. Some analysts have reasoned that the 2018/19 budget should give priority to service delivery ministries, to realize speedy socio-economic transformation. Others say; budgets have always been adequately allocated to critical service delivery ministries, but face the challenge of implementing Government programs due to laxity on the part of concerned civil servants or leadership at local level.
ABC Africa entrepreneurship takes a survey on critical ministries, to watch in 2018 and what Ugandans should expect from them; in terms of service delivery.
- Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development
This Ministry plays a pivotal role, when it comes to addressing youth empowerment matters. The Youth livelihood program and Youth venture funds lie in this ministry. The ministry is also charged with approving foreign labor placement firms, who take our youth to foreign countries for labor. It thus plays a great role in addressing the plight of about 60 per cent of Ugandan population, comprising the youth.
Sources from Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development; Quote the state minister for finance Fred Jachan Omach to have said the sh19b requested to kick-start a multi-billion Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) is available and will be released.
“I have received the request for sh19 billion from the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development to kick start your project (YLP). I want to assure the youths that, the funds are available and will be released,” Omach is quoted to have said.
Omach was speaking during the district National Youths Day Celebrations at Omach Primary School playground in Pakwach Town Council, in Nebbi district.
- Ministry of Agriculture
Is very critical ministry, which addresses Uganda’s food security and Agro-processing for export. Farmers have in the previous years been grappling with drought related catastrophe, pests and post harvest cereal storage challenges among others. It’s expected that the ministry in 2018, will address these challenges by helping farmers mitigate climate change, putting in place appropriate cereals storage facilities, provision of quality seeds and pesticides among others.
Because of the effects of climate change in Uganda, the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja says government has earmarked funds for the construction of 200 valley dams countrywide for water for production this financial year.
The minister was launching the project at Nansoloolo village, Namasagali Sub-county in Kamuli District recently, he said one of the ministry`s objectives is to ensure food security in the country, and he added that to achieve this, farmers have to be supported through setting up irrigation systems.
Ssempijja said government is also in negotiations with the South Korean government and other donors to develop a solar pump irrigation scheme system in the country as directed by H.E the President of Uganda recently.
- Ministry of Works and Transport
Is a very critical ministry, as it guarantees the infrastructure needed to transport Agriculture produce from rural areas to urban cities. The ministry, together with its sister agency; Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) have put in place a wide range of tarmac road network countrywide, but much is still needed. The Transport and Works sector budget allocation for 2018/19 has gained a slight increment to 21.4 per cent from 20.8 per cent in 2016/17, could this be the long awaited answer to our loads of concerns to have better lives accruing from better infrastructure, or it is a drop in an ocean to the many questions within the circles of the national construction sector?