Opposition Members of Parliament have expressed their opposition to the proposed allocation of Shs350 million for bedding, clothes, and footwear at State House in the Annual Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2023/2024. Led by Shadow Minister of Finance Mr. Muwanga Kivumbi and Kira Municipality legislator Mr. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the legislators presented a Minority Report contrasting the Majority Report presented by Budget Committee Chairperson Mr. Patrick Isiagi Opolot earlier today.
Mr. Ssemujju raised concerns about the allocation of Shs350 million for purchasing clothes, stating that it amounted to an average of Shs1 million spent on the President’s clothes every day. He questioned the need for such expenditure, emphasizing that the President of a poor country like Uganda does not require an extravagant wardrobe. He also questioned the utilization of clothes bought in the previous year. The legislators proposed a reduction of Shs82 billion in the State House Budget, which currently stands at Shs239 billion for the Financial Year 2023/24.
Mr. Ssemujju further criticized the allocation of Shs43 billion for ceremonies, suggesting that the funds should be directed towards repairing the deteriorating road network in Kampala and Wakiso instead. The legislators also highlighted other items funded under State House, such as furniture (allocated Shs600 million) and veterinary services (allocated Shs184 million).
Mr. Ssemujju expressed concerns about the perceived abuse of State House resources by President Museveni, stating that if the President chooses to abuse the resources, the Parliament has an obligation to intervene. He accused President Museveni of turning State House into an enterprise for himself and his family, surpassing former President Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa’s alleged misuse of State House.
During the deliberations, Mr. Opolot recommended allocating sufficient resources in the domestic arrears budget to clear the current stock, as the public debt is projected to increase by 2.5 percent in the upcoming financial year. Mr. Kivumbi suggested enhancing domestic revenue mobilization and undertaking structural reforms to ensure affordable concessional credit from development partners.
The House was still in the process of deliberating on the final 2023/2024 Budget before its passage later today. The budget will be presented by Finance Minister Mr. Matia Kasaija on June 14, with Speaker Ms. Anita Among chairing the session.
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