State House has increased its budget to Shs407.138Bn in 2019/2020 Financial Year, up from Shs274.052bn received in 2018/19 FY. This represents an increment of 48%.
With the 2021 general elections drawing near, the money will be used to mobilize masses towards political and socio-economic transformation, industrialization, and improved quality of life as well as appreciation of Government Policies and Programmes.
This is according to the ministerial policy statement tabled before the Presidential Affairs Committee.
The documents indicate that the proposed allocation to wage category has been maintained at Shs17.O97bn, while the non-wage recurrent category is Shs377.7O3bn.
Domestic development category will account for Shs12.338bn.
In the FY 2018/2019, Shs274.052bn was appropriated to Vote 002 of which wage was Shs15.225bn, non-wage recurrent-Shs246.488bn, while domestic development category was Shs12.338bn.
While appearing before the Committee, the State House team said that with the proposed allocation of Shs404.138bn, State House plans to undertake a number of activities that include providing the necessary logistical support for the welfare and security of the President and the Vice President as well as their immediate families.
State House also intends to use the funds to promote regional integration and international relations for purposes of political, social and economic gains, and the creation of investment opportunities a new report from Parliament has revealed.
The Committee also recommended to the Ministry of Finance to give State House more Shs4bn for the implementation of model villages across the Country whilst supporting the existing ones and called on State House to phase out model villages that were established between the year 2004 and 20l0 for sustainability motive and creating space to bring others on board.
This was after the Committee realized that there were only 21 model villages in existence and efforts to ro11 out this intervention in more areas whilst continuing with the support of the existing ones has a proposed allocation of Shs1bn against Shs5Bn required leading to a funding gap of Shs4bn.
The Committee also commended State House for fighting to reduce presidential pledges that can’t be categorized among ministries like buying iron sheets for a church or mosque, buying a vehicle for religious leaders, supporting a patient for treatment abroad among others.
Jesica Ababiku, Chairperson Presidential Affairs Committee told Parliament; “The Committee was informed that the current outstanding donations under State House total to Shs386Bn which is a tremendous improvement in comparison to over Shs11.9Trn about 8 years ago. The Committee applauded State House efforts in directing many of the Presidential pledges to MDAs in which they fall which has resulted into the tremendous performance. The Committee recommends that State House expedites handling of the remaining Presidential Pledges in the medium term.”
