Members of Parliament on Uganda's Budget Committee are calling for the restoration of Shs 750 billion that was removed from the 2024/2025 budget in the upcoming 2025/2026 budget. This amount had been allocated to crucial public projects such as ambulance procurement, bridge maintenance, and the construction of schools and health centres.
In July 2024, President Yoweri Museveni rejected the budget, citing concerns over misuse of funds, corruption, and the disruption of national priorities. Several MPs were arrested in connection with these allegations, and some of the key allocations were removed. However, members of the Budget Committee, led by Chairman Patrick Isiagi, argue that these essential projects should be reinstated to serve the public's needs.
As the committee reviews a supplementary budget of Shs 1 trillion, MPs are advocating for the re-inclusion of funds for community-focused initiatives like sub-county headquarters and income-generating projects.
Aruu North MP Santa Okot expressed the community’s frustration, pointing out that the funds initially approved by Parliament were not for MPs but for public benefit. "These were meant for the public good, and we must ensure they are prioritized in the next budget," Okot stressed.
Similarly, Bushenyi District Woman MP Annet Katusiime called the removal of these projects "unfortunate," urging the Ministry of Finance to address the unmet needs of local communities.
While acknowledging the importance of these projects, State Minister for Finance Henry Musasizi explained that the government had set new priority areas, focusing on wealth creation, health, education, and infrastructure. He also pointed out that budget adjustments would need to be considered within the context of resource constraints.
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