In his handover message sacked Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has called on his successor PM Ruhakana Rugunda to strengthen the capacity for effective implementation of government policies and programmes. The former prime minister also thanked President Museveni for giving him the opportunity to serve the country as Prime Minister and Leader of government business in parliament since 6th June 2011.
He also thanked the ministers and ministers of state for the support they had accorded him during his tenure as Prime Minister. “I thank all the Ministers and ministers of state for the support they have accorded me and this has been very instrumental in the effective discharge of my duties,” the statement read.
Mbabazi also extended his thanks to all civil servants across government for according him the necessary support in the execution of his duties. “I would like to thank all the civil servants for the good work you do”, Mbabazi’s hand over statement further read.
He further expressed his confidence in Rugunda’s wealth of experience adding that it would significantly contribute to Uganda’s aspiration for good governance, transformation and prosperity.
Some of the achievements that he highlighted included several bills that were enacted into law. Some of the bills enacted into law include
i) The Higher Education Students Financing Bill, 2013
(ii) The Anti-Money Laundering Bill, 2009
(iii) The Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production)Bill, 2012.
(iv) The Petroleum (Refining, Gas Processing and Conversion, Transportation and Storage) Bill, 2012
(v) The Building Control Bill 2012
(vi) The Prohibition and Prevention of Torture Bill 2010;
(vii) The National Council for Older Persons Bill, 2010;
(viii) The National Council for Disability (Amendment) Bill, 2010
(ix) The Uganda Communications Regulatory Authority Bill, 2012
(x) The Public Order Management Bill, 2011
(xi) The Free Zones Bill, 2012
“The Office of the Prime Minister has provided strategic leadership for Government Business in Parliament through coordinating the programming of the legislative agenda and attendance of Cabinet Ministers to their parliamentary responsibilities”, the statement continued.
Other achievements that were highlighted in the statement include
The Office of the Prime Minister had revitalized the strategic coordination role with improved implementation of various government priorities and emerging issues under the Presidential Investors’ Round Table, Annual and Semi-Annual Cabinet Retreats on Government Performance, Government Engagement with Joint Budget Support Development Partners etcetera.
“ I am also pleased to inform you that Government of Uganda and the United Nations Country Team agreed on Modalities for High-Level engagement where the Government of Uganda will provide increased and strategic oversight over the United Nations Programme in Uganda. Significant planning is already going on as part of the development of the Second National Development Plan”, Mbabazi said in the statement.
He added that the office of the prime minister had been able to secure Cabinet approval of critical policies for whole of government effectives such as the National Policy on Public Sector Monitoring and Evaluation and the Partnership Policy.
“I believe we are all proud of our achievements during the period I have served as Prime Minister. I must hasten to add that these achievements consolidated on the work of Right Honourable Apollo Nsibambi – my predecessor. I therefore hope that this progressive trend will be sustained” the statement further read.
The statement also highlighted several challenges which included expediting the passage ofpending Bills in Parliament. Some of the pending bills highlighted in the statement include;
a) The Retirement Benefits Sector Liberalization Bill, 2011;
b) The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Bill, 2007;
c) The National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012;
d) The Trade Licensing (Amendment) Bill, 2012
e) The Hotel and Tourism Training Institute Bill,2013;
f) The Lotteries and Gaming Bill, 2013 and
g) The Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Bill, 2014.
(ii) Reduce the backlog on the Cabinet Agenda. Urgent Cabinet decision on the some of the following is vital:
a) The Government White Paper on the Report of the Commission of Inquiry (Mismanagement of funds under Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) Principles for the Executive Orders Bill, 2013
b) The School feeding program for Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Post Primary Education and Training (UPPET) Programs
c) The Leadership Code Amendment Bill, 2014
d) The Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2014
e) Appointment of Members of the Board of Directors of the National Forestry Authority
f) The National Policy on East African Community Integration
g) The Investment Code (Amendment) Bill, 2014
h) The National Competition and Consumer Protection Policy
i) The National Diaspora Policy
j) Principles for Establishing the Uganda National Ambulance Services
k) The Uganda Development Corporation Bill, 2014
l) Five Bills relating to Sexual Offences
Mbabazi’s hand over statement concluded with a call to newly appointed Prime Minister Rugunda to desist from corrupt tendencies and learn to cherish honesty.
