The Budget and Finance Committees of Parliament have intensified scrutiny of the National Development Plan Four (NDP4), a five-year plan aimed at transforming Uganda’s economy. However, MPs contend that the plan’s priorities are misplaced, emphasizing the need for improved Human Capital Development and road infrastructure to drive economic growth and development
Led by Dr. Samuel Opio, Kole North MP, legislators highlighted concerns about the plan’s omission of critical interventions in education. Opio pointed out the low primary school completion rate of 40% and the secondary education enrollment rate of 27.3%, stressing the need for targeted programs to improve these statistics.
He expressed concerns about omissions in the plan, particularly in human capital development.
He highlighted the issue of education, noting that the completion rate for primary school is only 40%. This means that out of every 100 students who begin P1, only 40 will reach P7. Despite this alarming statistic, there is no program or intervention in the NDP IV to address this gap.
Furthermore, Dr. Opio pointed out that secondary education enrollment averages just 27.3%, according to UBOS statistics. Again, there is no intervention to address the low enrollment rates in secondary education. He recommended that the NDP IV include targeted program results to increase completion rates in primary school and enrollment rates in secondary education.
He also called for reforms in school fees regulations, explaining that there have been numerous concerns by parents of high exorbitant and extortionist charges by schools under the pretext of school fees .
The Nyendo-Mukungwe lawmaker Mathias Mpuuga criticized the government for neglecting regions that produce significant amounts of coffee, arguing that these areas deserve special attention to transportation infrastructure.
Representatives from lake regions led by Peter Okeyoh of Bukholi Island count also voiced dissatisfaction, stating that the plan marginalizes them by failing to prioritize water transportation.
In response, State Minister of National Planning Amos Lugoloobi emphasized the government’s focus on completing existing road projects and the Standard Gauge Railway within the NDP4 timeframe. Uganda’s current road network spans 159,366 km, with only 6,133 km paved.
MPs remain unsatisfied with the plan’s failure to prioritize government promises made to various regions, citing limited funds as the primary constraint. Minister Lugoloobi acknowledged this limitation, highlighting the need for strategic allocation of resources.
Tororo North County MP Ekanya emphasized the need for a ten-year national plan to provide a structured approach to development, which aligns with Vision 2040. He emphasized the importance of integrating regional development plans and criticized the current ad hoc policy framework.
