Ministry Seeks Shs308 Billion for "Service Uganda" Centres

The Ministry of Public Service is seeking a substantial Shs308 billion to bridge a funding gap for critical development projects. A key initiative is the planned rollout of 19 “Service Uganda Centres” across the country, designed to centralize various public services.

These centres will leverage existing POSTA Uganda infrastructure to offer services such as passport issuance, driving permit applications, tax assessments, and pension verification under one roof. The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Catherine Bitarakwate, explained that this consolidation aims to eliminate duplication of regional offices, which currently cost government an estimated Shs200 million each annually, leading to projected savings of Shs286.2 billion per year.

In addition to the service centres, the ministry plans to expand the Civil Service College Uganda at an estimated cost of US$30.4 million. This expansion is expected to reduce training costs per person and generate significant annual savings for the government, alongside an increase in non-tax revenue.

During a presentation to Parliament’s Committee on Public Service and Local Government, lawmakers raised questions about the effectiveness of the ongoing rationalisation of government institutions and the ministry’s role in leading the new service centre model. Bitarakwate assured the committee that challenges arising from mergers are being addressed, including the reintegration of affected staff into the civil service.

She further clarified that the Ministry of Public Service will coordinate these centres, bringing various government agencies together to provide services at a decentralized level. This initiative aims to improve citizen access to essential government services by reducing the need for travel to Kampala.

Source: Parliament of Uganda