The next agenda item in Parliament is the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill aims to integrate and streamline the functions of the National Meteorological Authority (NMA) into the Ministry responsible for meteorology matters. The Committee overseeing this bill observed that the roles of the National Meteorological Authority are specialized and distinct, not overlapping with those of the Ministry of Water and Environment.

Committee Chairperson, Honorable Emmanuel Otaala, highlighted the importance of maintaining UNMA as an independent institution while allowing the Ministry to focus on policy development. The Committee on Environment & Natural Resources emphasized UNMA’s potential to generate revenue through the sale of weather and climate-related products and services.

Honorable Otaala pointed out UNMA’s critical role in issuing forecasts for air navigation, both within and outside the country. He cited statistics from 2020, where UNMA issued numerous forecasts and flight folders to facilitate air travel. The Committee projected significant revenue generation for UNMA due to improved forecasts resulting from investments in radars and network stations nationwide.

However, the Committee on Environment recommended retaining UNMA as a semi-autonomous entity rather than merging it into the Ministry of Water & Environment. Despite this, the Committee acknowledged the principles behind rationalizing UNMA as proposed by the Bill.

State Minister for Works, Honorable Musa Ecweru, clarified that the government’s intention is not to abolish meteorological services but to streamline its functions within the Ministry of Water and Environment. He emphasized the goal of reducing administrative costs and making the government more efficient.

Although some MPs, like Honorable Ibrahim Ssemujju, support the rationalization of UNMA, concerns were raised about the low salaries in public service potentially discouraging professionals from working in these agencies. Government Chief Whip, Honorable Hamson Obua, assured that meteorological services would continue under the ministry responsible for meteorology.

Parliament rejected the Committee on Environment’s report calling for the status quo on UNMA. The House proceeded to consider the bill clause by clause, ultimately passing the Meteorological Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Honorable Wilfred Niwagaba suggested subjecting the rationalization bills to constitutional review upon assent to ensure their compliance with the law.

Additionally, Parliament passed the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill removes the corporate status of the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO and designates the Ministry of Education and Sports as the secretariat for the Commission, thereby dissolving the Commission’s Board.

Source: The Ankole Times