President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed the Ministry of Finance to release funds for road equipment to cater for new and big districts.
President Museveni made the remarks while responding to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja’s presentation on issues affecting government’s Performance, during the NRM Parliamentary Caucus retreat at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi on Monday, May 29, 2023.
The President directed the Ministry of Works and Transport, and Ministry of Finance to renew the contract between government and COMACU, a Japanese company that deals in supplying road equipment.
President said that all the new districts should get road equipment to solve the issue of the poor state of road networks.
“On the issue of road equipment for the new districts, I would like to direct Finance and Works who are here to renew our deal with COMACU, the Japanese because I stopped this business of traders/middle men that are selling equipment to the government. Go to the supplier in Japan and purchase the equipment. The new districts should all get,” he said.
He said that for the big districts that don’t want to be divided should acquire more equipment. He therefore, asked the Finance ministry and the Prime Minister to coordinate and follow up on the issue.
“For the big districts which don’t want to divide themselves, they should get more equipment or more units, so please Finance, Prime Minister coordinate this and get more equipment for the new districts but also more for the big ones,” President Museveni added.
The President said that middle men are corrupt and by using them, it is one way of promoting corruption.
President Museveni also said that each district ought to be given UGX 1billion for the maintenance of marram roads.
The President guided MPs on the difference between Presidential pledges and government plans, adding that construction of roads is a government plan, while promising a maize mill is a presidential pledge.
On the issue of health center IVs being under staffed, the President agreed with the deployment of doctors, adding that it will also help in addressing the issue of unemployment among the youth.
Prime Minister Nabbanja highlighted on the key issues affecting government’s performance saying that, the poor state of road networks in various districts across the country, some parts are not connected to the power bridge, selling of jobs by the District Service Commission, illegal fees in primary and secondary government aided schools which has led to high level of school dropouts, lack of office space for new districts and cities, many districts lack hospitals and health center IVs, among others have delayed socio-economic transformation.
