By Caroline Nassuuna
Communications Officer
ICPAU
Participants at the Public Finance Management (PFM) conference have been urged to embrace strategies that enhance the sustainability and performance of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
Winstone Katushabe - Commissioner Transport Regulation and Safety, Ministry of Works and Transport, explained that SOEs, being government-owned and operated, are established not only to provide goods and services but also to fulfil key social, economic, and political objectives. These enterprises span various sectors, including transportation, healthcare, utilities, and industrial production.
According to Katushabe, the sustainability and efficiency of SOEs depend on several critical factors such as sound governance and management, strict financial discipline, including performance-based budgeting and cost-control mechanisms, enhanced operational efficiency, and transparent stakeholder engagement.
He cited the Uganda Drivers Licensing System as a successful example, demonstrating the capacity of SOEs to meet user needs and deliver value. By adopting modern technologies such as biometric identification and cloud-based platforms and by continuously updating their systems to ensure security, reliability, and scalability, SOEs can become both sustainable and profitable.
However, Katushabe also acknowledged challenges along the path to reform. These include limited access to advanced technologies, corruption and fraud, and weak law enforcement mechanisms. Nonetheless, he pointed out that these challenges can be overcome.
“With innovative and visionary leadership committed to initiating and implementing value-adding reforms, alongside strong partnerships with the private sector and active stakeholder engagement, these challenges can be effectively addressed,” he said.
Ultimately, a well-managed, efficient, and sustainable public enterprise enhances service delivery, builds public trust in government institutions, increases access to critical services, and contributes to national revenue generation, thus improving citizens' overall quality of life.
The PFM conference, organised by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) is being held from 23 – 25 April 2025 at the Imperial Resort Beach, Entebbe and online. The theme is Public Finance Management Systems for Sustainable Service Delivery.
The conference brings together public sector players, giving them an opportunity to dialogue among themselves, share experiences and address challenges affecting effective public service delivery. Resolutions from the conference will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to inform policy development.
The conference is organised in partnership with National Identification & Registration Authority (NIRA), National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), PostBank Uganda and Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) and MTN Uganda.
