Controversy has continued to brew over the government’s Rationalisation of Agencies and Public Expenditure (Rapex) with the Uganda National Road Agency (Unra) and Uganda Road Fund (URF), the latest entities to show a stomach for fighting to the bitter end.
With as many as 1,613 jobs approved to be affected by the Rapex, gloves were taken off this past workweek in the House as the top brass from both Unra and URF flexed their muscles.
To add to the chaotic outlook, two ministers from President Museveni’s Cabinet furnished the House Committee on Physical Infrastructure with contrasting figures regarding the terminal benefits of 1,577 Unra staff approved to be affected by the Rapex. While processing the UNRA (Amendment) Bill, 2024, lawmakers heard from Public Service Minister Muruli Mukasa that the terminal benefits will set back the government’s Shs46.44 billion.
This was in stark contrast to the figure with which junior Works and Transport minister Musa Ecweru was conversant. Minister Ecewru cited “a one-off payment in terms of terminal benefits to Unra affected staff of Shs196 billion. He further disclosed that the Shs196 billion “was estimated initially” and since it is the duty of the Public Service ministry “to compute payments” its officials saw it fit to “technically c[o]me up with Shs46 billion.”
Ms Allen Kagina, the Unra Executive Director, holds that the Shs196 billion is an accurate estimate, adding that it was arrived at based on the relevant laws of Uganda.
“The Employment Act states that a severance package is a negotiation between the employer and the workers. The employer—[the] Unra board—sat and made a package for its staff. This package was communicated through our ministry (Works and Transport) to Public Service. That was a few years ago when the discussion of rationalisation started,” Ms Kagina said.
“That package has been under debate and has changed in number because over the years, some people have left and others have joined. So the package has not been static. The most recent we calculated up to December 2024 because we were getting indications that we would stop in December and we gave an indicative figure of Shs196 billion which we transmitted through [the Works and Transport ministry] permanent secretary, showing how it had been arrived at through the board, including board minutes,” she added.
Mr Tonny Awany, the deputy chair of the House Committee on Physical Infrastructure, confirmed that “three certificates of financial implication came with different figures.” Remarkably, he disclosed, without giving further details, that the first certificate of implication “came up with a figure of Shs11 billion.” Mr Dan Kimosho, the chair, ruled this week that his committee captures the “irregularities” in the report that will be furnished to the whole House.
There was more drama when the lawmaker put the Uganda Road Fund (URF) Amendment Bill, 2024 under the…