CSOs urge Gov’t to strengthen budget allocation system to avoid last-minute scrutiny.
Drake Nyamugabwa
Following the return of the appropriation bill by the President of Uganda Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to parliament without assenting to it, Civil Society Organisation under their umbrella The Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) has asked the government to strengthen the budgeting system which say has various impacts including exposer to corruption, increase in domestic debt among others.
The Executive Director of CSBA, Mr. Julius Mukunda, however, said that this could be a chance for members of parliament to remove unnecessary appropriation expenses.
“This is the first time the President has returned the Appropriation Bill 2024 with a clear concern of reinstating UGX750 Billion said to have been reallocated away from government priorities. Last-minute budget decisions are bad since they are poorly planned and scrutinized, it leaving a gap that corrupt MPs can exploit to their advantage” he said.
The Executive Director revealed this during a press conference about the FY 2024/25 National Budget on Sunday 30th June 2024 the eve of a new financial year, held at CSBAG offices in Ntinda, Kampala.
Mr. Julius Mukunda said that the action of the President bringing back budget back to Parliament is a result of public outcry which he adds is caused by lack of citizen participation
While commending the President for questioning the 750 billion included in the FY2024/25 being reallocated away from government priorities, he added that more expenses can be further corrected as the Parliament reconsiders the budget on 2nd July 2024.
He said that certain government expenditures that are not productive can be removed from the budget so that we can live within our means, including; Emoluments for cultural leaders with UGX 30.95 billion, Ministry of Karamoja for procurement of iron sheets, maize seeds, and ox-ploughs worth UGX 8 billion, Ministry of Luweero, supporting families with income-generating projects worth UGX 2 billion, House rent for the principal judge and chief justice UGX 450 million, Arrears for tea seedlings for farmer UGX 17.26 billion, UGX 8.93 billion medical insurance for MPs and parliamentary staff among others.
“Parliament’s decision to selfishly reallocate budget priorities demonstrates a disregard for the broader needs of society. Such actions prioritize narrow interests over the well-being of the entire population, which is fundamentally wrong” he said
