Gov’t Set Aside Shs10.2 Trillion for National Disaster Risk Management Plan- Minister Anyakun
The National Disaster Risk Management Plan, which aims to better equip the nation to handle and prevent disasters, was presented to Parliament by Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Hon. Esther Anyakun.
Gov’t Set Aside Shs10.2 Trillion for National Disaster Risk Management Plan- Minister Anyakun
The National Disaster Risk Management Plan, which aims to better equip the nation to handle and prevent disasters, was presented to Parliament by Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Hon. Esther Anyakun.
The minister stated that both natural and man-made calamities have affected the nation in the plan that was delivered to Parliament during plenary on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.
She continued by stating that, among all of Africa, Uganda is the 14th most exposed and least prepared to deal with hydrometeorological disasters.
Anyakun pointed out that the yearly catastrophe report for the nation for 2020 revealed a loss in monetary terms of Shs536 billion, which was disastrous for the nation’s economy and progress.
The plan, according to the minister, will focus on dangers while also addressing all economic sectors. She claims that the government has budgeted Sh10.2 trillion for carrying out the plan.
She continued, “That number will bring all efforts to seek complete avoidance of the repercussions of calamities in the country.
Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, Chief Opposition Whip, pointed out that there are a few issues with the government’s response to disasters that this strategy should fix.
Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe, the Chief Opposition Whip, suggested that the ministry for disaster and refugees should have a separate vote.
In order to avoid having to deal with the finance ministry and other government red tape in order to get cash in the event of a crisis, he suggested that the Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees be given a separate financing vote.
“The fact that the money must be taken from the unified government fund slows down the ministry’s ability to respond to crises. If not handled quickly, some of these events have catastrophic aftereffects, according to Nambeshe.
The idea would be better supported, according to Hon. Emmanuel Ongiertho (FDC, Jonam Country), who also argued in favor of the creation of a special fund to help with disaster management and response.
But he said that the funds contributed to such fund ought to be wisely used. He continued, “We don’t want instances where money is stolen or utilized improperly in that fund.
Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), objected, claiming that the vote run by the Office of the Prime Minister is strong enough to handle impending disasters and has never had a problem with running out of money.
The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, Hon. Hilary Onek, shot back, claiming that bureaucrats in the Prime Minister’s office are to blame for the hoarding of monies and the needless delays in getting access to them whenever they are needed.
According to Senior Minister Hon. Hillary Onek, the effectiveness of disaster preparedness will only be exceptional when given a separate vote.
He continued, “I wrote a letter to the President asking for Disaster Preparedness to be granted a separate vote. It is common for us to find that money intended for disaster has been diverted to other things.
Onek noted that Disaster Management was a full-fledged ministry in its heyday and performed admirably in its function. According to him, only when given a separate vote would disaster preparedness be exceptionally effective.
Anita Among, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, stated that the issue was crucial and referred it to the finance ministry for evaluation of the viability of separating the Prime Minister’s office’s vote from the Disaster Preparedness ministry before reporting back to Parliament in a fortnight.
