Members of Uganda’s Parliament have urged the National Planning Authority (NPA) to re-evaluate priorities in the upcoming National Development Plan (NDP) IV to address concerns over equity and regional development.
During a meeting on January 7, chaired by Budget Committee Chairperson Hon. Patrick Isiagi, MPs highlighted the need to focus on underserved regions such as Karamoja, Bukedi, and Busoga. West Budama North MP Hon. Maximus Ochai called for prioritizing the most critical areas and strengthening NPA’s planning capacity.
Pian County MP Hon. Remigio Achia criticized regional disparities in development planning, citing the lack of progress at Mt. Moroto University since 2015. He stressed the institution’s potential role in offering regionally relevant courses like mineral, water, and livestock management.
Gomba District Woman Representative Hon. Sylvia Nayebale called for regional airports to boost tourism, noting the challenges tourists face due to reliance on road travel.
The Minister of State for Finance, Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, urged political parties to align their manifestos with NDP IV to ensure consistency. He also reaffirmed that policy mandates a review of the plan every two and a half years, rejecting a proposal for annual reviews.
The draft NDP IV remains under parliamentary review, with ongoing discussions on addressing regional disparities and ensuring balanced national development.