governance 5 August 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Ministry Seeks Shs308 Billion for Unified Public Service Centers
The Ministry of Public Service has requested Shs308 billion to bridge a funding gap for critical projects, including the establishment of 19 "Service Uganda Centres" aimed at consolidating government services. These centers will leverage existing POSTA Uganda infrastructure to streamline access to services like passport issuance and driving permit renewals. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4530/ministry-seeks-shs308-bn-one-stop-centre-services
The Ministry of Public Service is seeking substantial funding, up to Shs308 billion, to support key development initiatives. A significant portion of this request is earmarked for the creation of 19 “Service Uganda Centres” across the country, designed to centralize various public services.
According to Permanent Secretary Catherine Bitarakwate, these new centers will utilize the infrastructure of POSTA Uganda. The objective is to offer a range of services, from passport and driving permit applications to tax assessments and pension verification, all under one roof.
Bitarakwate highlighted that this consolidation is expected to yield significant cost savings for the government. Currently, individual government agencies operate duplicate regional offices, costing an estimated Shs200 million each annually. The new model is projected to save the government approximately Shs286.2 billion each year by eliminating these overlapping structures.
In addition to the service centers, the ministry also plans to expand the Civil Service College Uganda at an estimated cost of US$30.4 million. This expansion aims to improve training facilities and reduce daily training costs per civil servant, potentially saving the government Shs6 billion annually and increasing non-tax revenue by Shs7.5 billion.
Members of Parliament raised questions regarding the ministry’s leadership role in the one-stop center model and concerns about the fallout from recent government institutional rationalization. Bitarakwate assured the committee that a monitoring and evaluation report is underway to address challenges arising from mergers and that efforts are being made to reintegrate affected individuals into new roles.
The proposed Salary Review Commission, linked to amendments in the Public Service Act, is also under consideration to provide a broader perspective on public service reforms. The one-stop centers, Bitarakwate clarified, will serve as hubs where various government entities will offer services at a decentralized level, reducing the need for citizens to travel to Kampala for essential documentation and information.
Source: Parliament of Uganda