Uganda Undertakes Rationalization of Government Agencies for Improved Efficiency

The Ugandan government has initiated a comprehensive rationalization process for its public sector organizations (PSOs) to enhance efficiency in service delivery, clarify roles, and reduce the cost of public administration.

Eddie Kwizera, the Assistant Director of the Department of Research Services (DRS) for the Parliament of Uganda, discussed the initiative on the NBS Morning Breeze program.

In 2017, the government conducted a study on 20 PSOs to assess their effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with the national results framework. The study revealed duplication and non-alignment of mandates among key PSOs, leading to waste and inefficiencies in service production. As a result, the Ugandan cabinet resolved to undertake a comprehensive rationalization of government agencies.

Why this matters: The rationalization process is a significant step towards establishing an evaluation ecosystem focused on evidence-based decision-making in Uganda. It aligns with the objectives outlined in the National Development Plan and the National Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy and Policy, aiming to improve governance and public service delivery.

As part of the rationalization process, the government introduced bills to parliament to reflect the recommendations of the study. The bills aim to phase out, merge, and restructure PSOs whose relevance is no longer justified or those with duplicated roles and responsibilities. This move is expected to streamline government operations, reduce redundancies, and optimize resource allocation.

Kwizera emphasized that the rationalization process is part of Uganda's broader efforts to establish an evaluation ecosystem focused on evidence-based decision-making. "The rationalization process is part of Uganda's efforts to establish an evaluation ecosystem focused on evidence-based decision-making, as outlined in the National Development Plan and the National Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy and Policy," he stated during the discussion on NBS Morning Breeze.

The rationalization of government agencies in Uganda is a proactive measure to address inefficiencies, duplication of roles, and misalignment of mandates within the public sector. By streamlining PSOs, the government aims to improve service delivery, enhance clarity of roles, and reduce the cost of public administration. The introduction of bills to parliament reflects the government's commitment to implementing the recommendations of the 2017 study and fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making in governance.

Key Takeaways

• Uganda initiated a rationalization process to enhance public sector efficiency.
• A 2017 study revealed duplication and misalignment among public organizations.
• The rationalization aims to phase out, merge, and restructure public agencies.
• This aligns with Uganda's efforts to establish evidence-based decision-making.
• The process streamlines operations, reduces redundancies, and optimizes resources.