KAMPALA, July 4, 2026 — The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, has called on Members of Parliament [MPs] to actively monitor the implementation of the national budget within their constituencies, saying effective oversight is both a constitutional duty and essential for maintaining public trust.
Speaking to MPs of the 12th Parliament of Uganda during their induction on Wednesday at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Musasizi said Parliament’s role goes beyond approving the national budget to ensuring that public funds translate into tangible improvements in service delivery.
“Budget approval is the beginning, not the end. Track whether funds reach the people they were intended for,” he said, urging legislators to ensure value for money at local government level.
Drawing on his 15 years of experience as an MP, Musasizi encouraged legislators to regularly engage local government officials and communities to assess the progress of government-funded projects.
“Most of the money goes to your districts and sub-counties. It is important that you write to the Chief Administrative Officer to ask about the progress of specific projects, and where possible, visit those projects jointly. For example, check whether schools have teachers and whether teaching is taking place,” he said.
He added that such engagement would strengthen accountability and deepen MPs’ connection with their constituents.
“These things are important for your return to Parliament. If you want to be an effective Member, sample some parishes under the Parish Development Model [PDM], meet beneficiaries, and ask whether they are receiving funds on time and how they are using them,” Musasizi said.
The Minister also revealed plans to strengthen budget discipline by restricting supplementary expenditure to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, in line with the Public Finance Management Act.
Kassanda North County MP Patrick Oshabe raised concern over delays in the Ministry’s submission of budget documents to Parliament, saying this limits legislators’ ability to scrutinise government proposals.
“When you became a minister, I thought things would change. Members do not have enough time to scrutinise these documents. We often debate the national budget in just one day. Why don’t we have mandatory deadlines?” Oshabe asked.
Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende called for action on public concerns over double taxation, while Second Deputy Prime Minister Crispus Kiyonga urged government to prioritise infrastructure development in areas earmarked for industrial parks.
“The Uganda Investment Authority [UIA] mapped out land for industrial parks countrywide, but in many of these areas there has been little progress. These could be a key tool in achieving the desired ten-fold growth,” Kiyonga said.
National Planning Authority Chairperson Prof. Pamela Mbabazi, who presented on the Fourth National Development Plan [NDP IV], urged MPs to support legislation aligned with Uganda Vision 2040, which aims to grow the economy to US$ 500 billion by 2040.
“Parliament is expected to play a critical role in achieving this vision, including through legislation, appropriation, oversight of government programmes, and debating in line with the national strategy,” Mbabazi said.
https://thecooperator.news/mps-irked-as-shs-46bln-lies-idle-on-science-ministrys-bank-account/
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