Government officials below the rank of Permanent Secretary who seek to travel abroad will be authorised by their line ministers not the Prime Minister.
During a Friday meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda, Cabinet resolved that the new arrangement would lessen the premier’s work burden.
“The change of practice is premised on the need to reduce the work load of the Prime Minister…and to enable ministers take full charge of the affairs of their ministries as political heads,” a statement issued by Cabinet spokesperson, Mr Frank Tumwebaze.
The measure, Mr Tumwebaze said in the statement, is also intended to reduce the cost of travel abroad through rationalisation of foreign trips at any given time.
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Officials at the level of minister, minister of state, head of Public Service and his deputy, permanent secretaries and district chief administrative officers will be cleared by the Prime Minister.
Officials lower in rank; will get clearance from their respective ministers.
Export strategy
Cabinet also approved a strategy on export promotion dubbed “National Exports Development Strategy (NEDS),” whose details will be communicated by trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde at a news conference next week.
“The strategy will operationalize the policy on export promotion and coordinate all efforts of different ministries [on exports],” Mr Tumwebaze said.
In subsequent financial years, ministries, departments and government agencies will be required to align their budget with the view of “focusing existing resources on implementing the NEDS.”
Source: monitor.co.ug
