By Ezrah Kashumbusha and Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA: Opposition politicians in Uganda have tasked the Parliament to explain circumstances under which 3.5trillion supplementary budget was divided that ended with State House receiving a lion’s share of 441.3billion.
While presenting the motion on the floor of parliament, the Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, said the funding is meant to cater for various government sectors including State House, President’s Office and the Ministry of Health.
He explained that Shs1.9 trillion required prior Parliamentary approval while Shs1.5 trillion was within the 3 percent legal limit.
In the report of the Committee of National Economy presented by the Chairperson, Hon. Patrick Isiagi, out of the Shs1.9 trillion, State House got Shs441.3 billion under classified expenditure, while the Office of the President was allocated Shs26 billion for hosting the Non Aligned Movement and G77+1 summits in 2024.
The Ministry of Finance got Shs44 billion out of which, Shs13 billion will go towards supporting artists under Microfinance Support Centre.
The funds will be used for capitalization of the performing artists’ SACCO to enable them to provide financial services to stakeholders in the Creative Industry as well as support development of structures for the Creative Industry and Artists, among others.
While reading the report, Isiagi said that the source of funding for the supplementary is Non Tax Revenue, domestic borrowing and external financing.
This however attracted debate in the public domain with the opposition accusing President Museveni of plunging the country into unnecessary debts.
Ismail Kiirya, president of the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) and Ag. DP spokesperson said during a press conference at Balintuma road on Tuesday that the government should consider pressing priorities than things which cannot wait.
“Supplementary has to come either when there is an emergency or when something which is not foreseen. So how emergency are the things you allocate the suplplementary budget to?” Kiirya wondered.
He suggests for effective utilization of small funds available stating that the budget drags citizens into high taxes and corrupt officials.
On the other hand, musician turned politician and National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine opines that the Shs30bn allocated to boost the operations of musicians is a “mere handouts” put out to trap targeted musicians into corruption scandals inorder to prevent them from criticizing the government in future. He also alleged that he has first hand information that Shs55b was sneaked into the budget to bribe each of the 529 MPs with Shs100m as a token for approving the budget. He warned opposition legislators against being induced and focus on working for their people.
“This has been the way things are done in that parliament. Last time they passed Shs77b supplementary budget for Mr. Museveni and each MP was given Shs40m as a token of appreciation. This time they are back and they’re giving each MP Shs100m. […] But, I am here to break news of this new scandal to the public. And I am warning all NUP MPs and all those calling themselves opposition or pro-people that we are not going to cover up for any of you,” Bobi warned.
Yesterday, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) deputy president for Eastern region, Margaret Wokuri Madanda challenged parliament for not being patriotic and described passing of the budget as “selfish actions” by legislators likely to enslave the future of the county and the upcoming generations.
She said president Museveni is burying the country into debts by borrowing to finance the lifestyles of the first family and those close to him.
“It is really so reckless and unfortunate that the president who should be setting an example by living a very frugal life to be the one who is always constantly asking for money and constantly living on the blood of impoverished Ugandans,”said Okwi.
