By KT Reporter
The National Planning Authority (NPA) has challenged Parliament to deliver timely and innovation-driven results through the adoption of modern Information Communication Technology (ICT) practices.
The call was made by Charles Oleny, NPA’s Deputy Executive Director for Efficiency and Digitisation, during the launch of Parliament’s five-year Strategic Plan for 2025/2026–2029/2030, held on Friday.
The plan prioritises an e-Parliament model aimed at strengthening institutional capacity for lawmaking, deepening oversight of public resources, enhancing citizen participation, and promoting transparency and accountability.
“We expect Parliament’s Strategic Plan to deliver effective, timely, and development-oriented legislation by adopting ICT-enhanced research capacity and a professional, well-resourced Parliamentary Service to ensure institutional efficiency and digitisation,” Oleny said.
He urged committees to intensify scrutiny of government expenditure and performance, guided by facts and fairness, while ensuring inclusive, citizen-centred representation. “This ensures that the voices of all Ugandans, especially women, youth, and marginalised groups, are acted upon,” he added.
By law, Parliament’s core functions include passing legislation, approving taxation and loans, scrutinising government policy and administration, approving the national budget, representing constituents, and vetting public appointments.
Yet public opinion of the 11th Parliament is divided. Afrobarometer findings and civil-society reports show widespread dissatisfaction, with many Ugandans citing corruption, weak oversight, and misuse of public resources. Protests, social media campaigns, and exposés such as the “Parliament Exhibition” have amplified anger and cynicism, especially around MPs’ allowances and controversial legislation.
Critics argue that Parliament has often acted as a rubber stamp for the Executive, particularly on bills seen as expanding security powers. On the other hand, some citizens still credit their MPs for delivering constituency services and supporting local projects, while Parliament itself points to its legislative output and sittings as achievements.
Speaker Anita Among, in a speech read by Zombo District Woman MP Esther Afoyochan, pledged that the Parliamentary Commission will support implementation of the plan through a strong legal and policy framework.
“Together, let us build a Parliament that is people-centred, efficient, innovative, and accountable, one that truly reflects the aspirations of Ugandans today and for generations to come,” said among.
Racheal Emaasit, Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, explained that the e-Parliament project will include investments in modern ICT, staff capacity, and cybersecurity safeguards. She added that Parliament will establish a dedicated Secretariat to track contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV).
The 2030 Agenda for SDGs, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
Emaasit said the Strategic Plan targets significant improvements by 2029/30, including: Raising legislative success rates from 62.7% to 85%, improving budget alignment with NDP IV from 71.4% to 90%, increasing unqualified audit opinions from 57% to 70%, raising citizen satisfaction from 57% to 75% and improving programme performance from 69% to 90%.
Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige assured that the plan is fully aligned with NDP IV guidelines. “We have a shared commitment to strengthening Parliament’s capacity, performance, and relevance in delivering its constitutional mandate,” he said.
According to the financing framework, Parliament’s budget will rise from 1.1 trillion in 2025/26 to 1.52 trillion in 2029/30. Key allocations include 220.21 billion for new chambers, 134.61 billion for institutional development, and 686.93 billion for new office buildings.
The Parliament’s Strategic Plan serves as both a management tool and a medium-term roadmap, intended to improve efficiency, strengthen oversight, and restore public confidence. Its success, however, will depend on whether reforms move beyond paper commitments to tangible improvements in law-making, accountability, and representation.
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