Minister Kasaija, Museveni and PS. Keith Muhakanizi
Even with the ‘Kisanja Hakuna muchezo’ slogan, Government will still take 13years to procure cars for all Resident District Commissioners (RDCs).
This was observed by the Parliamentary committee on Appointments’ report on 2018/2019 Ministerial Policy statement and budget estimates for the Office of the President.
The Committee in its report pointed out that at the rate at which Government is procuring vehicles for RDCs, it will take Uganda 13years to buy cars for all RDCs.
At the moment, there is a huge funding gap to a tune of Shs17.76Bn to procure 120 vehicles for the RDCs and DRDCs as the cost of maintaining the old fleet is extremely exorbitant, in addition to desire to procure vehicles for RDCs in the new Districts.
“The current provision only allows the Office of the President to procure only 10 vehicles. With this provision, MPs say it will take about 13 years to procure the required vehicles for the RDCs and that the current fleet is too old and this increases the maintenance costs,” the report says.
In its recommendations, the MPs said that Shs77.76bn be provided, to enable the office of the President procure the 720 vehicles both for replacement of the old fleet and for the new districts.
Meanwhile, the Office of the President is also seeking for Shs2.63Bn to facilitate the appointment of RDCs for 10 newly created Districts.
The ten RDCs arise out of creation of four new Districts of; Kagadi, Kakumiro, Omoro and Rubanda that came into operation in 2016/2017 as well as Namisindwa, Pakwach, Butebo, Rukiga, Kyotera and Bunyangabo that were operationalised in 2017/2018.
While debating the ministerial statement, MP recommended that the money be availed to facilitate the appointment of new RDCs.
The committee also urged government to avail Shs2.9 bn to the Office of the President in FY 2018/19 to enhance construction of RDCs offices to at least one per region per financial year to address the Office accommodation challenges for RDCs in the medium term.
Apparently, of the 112 districts, Office of the president has constructed RDCs Offices in 28 districts, rents offices in 23 districts while RDCs in 71 districts are accommodated by District Local Governments.
