Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, Uganda’s Minister of Internal Affairs, has urged Parliament to restore a Shs 475.7 billion budget cut from his ministry, stressing that the funds are vital for ensuring free and fair elections in 2026.
Appearing before the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee, Otafiire presented the Ministry's 2025/26 Budget Framework, alongside officials from Uganda Police and Uganda Prisons Service. He warned that the reduction in funding would severely impact service delivery and hinder efforts to maintain electoral integrity.
"I am working with the Ministry of Finance and Cabinet colleagues to address this budget imbalance. Credible elections are crucial for political and social cohesion. Without elections that meet the majority’s expectations, everything we work to protect could be disrupted," Otafiire said.
Documents show that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been allocated Shs 1.490 trillion for the 2025/26 financial year, down from Shs 1.966 trillion in the revised 2024/25 budget, marking a reduction of Shs 475.7 billion.
Otafiire also appealed for additional funding to maintain the national CCTV network, aiming to expand it to fill surveillance gaps, particularly in metropolitan Kampala. He emphasized that regular maintenance would enhance footage quality and minimize camera downtime, aiding crime deterrence and investigations.
The CCTV project has already proven effective, with analysts handling 1,700 cases, leading to 316 convictions and 96 ongoing trials.
Otafiire urged Parliament to prioritize restoring the Ministry’s budget to ensure electoral credibility and enhance national security. The Defence and Internal Affairs Committee will review the proposal before submitting its recommendations to Parliament
إرسال تعليق