UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | President Yoweri Museveni has clarified that the responsibility for physical planning in Uganda remains under the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development.
His statement follows confusion regarding the transfer of functions after the dissolution of the National Physical Planning Board.
In a letter dated February 11, 2025, addressed to Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba, President Museveni stated that the National Planning Authority (NPA), which assumed the roles of the dissolved Physical Planning Board, is not mandated to execute physical planning duties.
He emphasized that physical planning remains an executing function, which must be handled by the relevant ministry.
“I have received your letter of the 20th of December, 2024, regarding the transfer of the agency of physical planning to the National Planning Authority,” Museveni wrote.
“The National Planning Authority is not an executing agency. Physical planning is an executing task. To physically plan the infrastructure, the houses, etc., this must be done by the ministry,” the letter added.
President Museveni further explained that while the NPA contributes to the overall development framework, its scope extends beyond physical planning, including economic and social planning.
He noted that the NPA can offer support through resource persons and expert desks but should not assume executive control over planning activities.
The clarification comes months after the Physical Planning (Amendment) Act, 2024, was signed into law in October last year. This legislation dissolved the National Physical Planning Board and transferred its functions to the NPA, as part of the government’s Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) policy.
Following the transition, the NPA absorbed some staff members from the former board.
Upon assuming the new mandate, NPA Executive Director Dr Joseph Muvawala stated: “This is also to guide that all issues relating to physical planning that were initially under the purview of the National Physical Planning Board should be addressed to the executive director, NPA.”
Before its dissolution, the Physical Planning Board was responsible for approving and supervising physical development plans across Uganda.
Its roles included setting national land use standards, formulating policies, guiding local governments, and issuing development permits. The board also monitored compliance and enforced planning regulations.
President Museveni’s letter questioned whether he had been consulted in the transfer process and indicated that he may revisit the issue, depending on further review.
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