- Lawmakers clash with Ministry officials clash over plans to merge energy agencies
- Ugandan government plans to merge REA and Energy ministry
- Parliament insists the staff of the REA must be retained after the merger
Lawmakers and officials from the Ugandan Ministry of Energy have clashed over the recent plan of the Ugandan government to merge the Ministry of Energy and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
While the Minister of Energy, Ruth Nankabirwa, supports the government plans to merge both agencies, Lawmakers were sceptical on the planned merger and the impact on staff of the REA. The lawmakers insist that the government ”…commits that all staff in the electricity agency are automatically retained even after the merger.”
Chairperson Natural Resources Committee, Mr Emmanuel Otaala, has asked the Energy Minister to halt all merger processes until the committee gives its decision on the matter. We need to make a decision on this matter so that by the time the matter is coming to Parliament, we have a clear position so that we are able to defend you,” Otaala said.
The Ugandan government plans to merge at least 33 government agencies with their parent ministries. The merger process is to be concluded within three years.