Cabinet has directed the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) to return to the Ministry of Communication and ICT and operate from its headquarters as the government intensifies efforts to reduce public expenditure through the rationalisation of government agencies.
The decision is part of the wider Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) programme, which seeks to eliminate duplication of roles, reduce administrative costs and improve efficiency in government operations.
The Minister of Communication and ICT, Justine Kasule Lumumba announced the cabinet decision on Monday, saying the changes were intended to ensure that government institutions operated more efficiently and used taxpayers’ money responsibly.
Under the new arrangement, NITA-U will be brought directly under the Ministry of ICT instead of continuing to operate as a separate government agency.
The move is expected to streamline the management of information technology functions and strengthen the ministry’s supervision of the sector.
Lumumba said the cabinet meeting had also made decisions affecting other government institutions, including the restructuring of electricity companies as part of the rationalisation programme.
She said the government was aware that merging agencies and transferring their responsibilities could affect some employees but would ensure that workers were treated fairly.
According to Lumumba, employees whose services are still required will be considered for redeployment to other government positions based on their qualifications and experience.
Those who cannot be retained will be compensated in accordance with government procedures.
She said the rationalisation exercise was not intended to victimise public servants but to reduce unnecessary expenditure and ensure that government resources were directed towards more productive activities.
Government adopted the RAPEX programme on February 22, 2021, after reviewing 157 public agencies and identifying institutions whose functions could be merged, transferred or abolished.
The exercise identified 60 agencies for rationalisation, following concerns that some government institutions performed similar duties, resulting in unnecessary administrative costs.
Government says the programme has so far saved more than Shs959 billion in taxpayers’ money.
In another cabinet decision, all government ministries were directed to channel their official public statements through the Uganda Media Centre.
Lumumba said the directive was intended to improve coordination of government communication and ensure that information released by ministries was accurate and consistent.
