KAMPALA, January 16, 2025 –– Members of Parliament [MPs] on the Budget Committee have called for the reinstatement of funds previously removed from the current financial year’s budget as part of the 2025/2026 budget framework.
In the 2024/2025 budget, legislators allocated Shs 750 billion to vital areas such as ambulance procurement, bridge maintenance, sub-county headquarters construction, and support for income-generating projects. However, during a House session on July 2, 2024, Speaker Anita Among read a letter from President Yoweri Museveni rejecting the Bill. Museveni cited reasons such as indiscipline in budgeting, sabotage of national priorities, and corruption among lawmakers as grounds for his decision. Some MPs were subsequently arrested and charged in relation to these claims.
Despite this, Members of the Budget Committee, led by Chairman Patrick Isiagi, have raised concerns over the exclusion of crucial items initially approved in the 2024/2025 budget. They are now demanding that these items be included in the 2025/2026 budget framework.
The calls for reinstatement came as the committee scrutinised a supplementary budget of Shs 1 trillion. MPs insisted that funds previously allocated for essential projects, such as schools, health centres, and administrative unit headquarters, should be restored.
Aruu North MP Santa Okot highlighted the frustration felt by communities whose expectations had been dashed when the budgeted items were removed.
“Last year, we passed the budget unanimously in Parliament, and it was presented to the public. Later, the President returned it to the House, instructing the Ministry of Finance to remove certain items. These were not for MPs or the Budget Committee but for the communities,” Okot remarked.
She further emphasised the importance of reinstating these allocations.
“These items—schools, health centres, ambulances, sub-county offices—were meant for the public good. The Ministry of Finance must budget for them again to reassure the community,” she added.
Bushenyi District Woman MP, Annet Katusiime, shared similar concerns, calling the exclusion of critical projects “very unfortunate and regrettable.”
“We had planned to elevate health centres, construct schools, and provide sub-county headquarters. These items were already communicated to the public, and their removal has caused disappointment. We urge the Ministry of Finance to re-incorporate these items in the 2025/2026 budget,” Katusiime said.
Committee Chairman Isiagi acknowledged the importance of the items that had been cut, particularly in the health sector and in relation to community development.
In response, State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties) Henry Musasizi addressed the MPs’ concerns, explaining the government’s approach to budgetary adjustments. He clarified that the government has now defined its priority areas, which include wealth creation programmes, health, education, and critical infrastructure such as roads.
“We have clear focus areas for the next financial year. These include the Parish Development Model, irrigation, defence and security, and human capital development. While adjustments can be discussed with Parliament, the challenge of resource constraints must be considered,” Musasizi noted.
https://thecooperator.news/among-calls-for-increased-citizen-participation-in-budget-processes/
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