Members of Parliament on the Budget Committee have called for the reinstatement of funds removed from the current financial year’s budget in the 2024/2025 financial plan.
In the 2024/2025 budget, legislators allocated Shs750 billion to critical areas such as ambulance procurement, bridge maintenance, sub-county headquarters construction, and support for income-generating projects.
During a House session on 02 July 2024, Speaker Anita Among read President Yoweri Museveni’s letter rejecting the Bill. The President cited indiscipline in budgeting, sabotage of national priorities, and corruption among lawmakers as reasons for his rejection.
Members of the Budget Committee in a meeting with the chairperson, Hon. Patrick Isiagi, on Wednesday, 15 January 2025, expressed concern over the exclusion of critical items initially approved in the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025, demanding that they should now be included in the next financial year’s budget.
The demands were made as the committee scrutinised a supplementary budget of Shs1 trillion.
MPs insisted that funds previously allocated for essential projects such as schools, health centres, and administrative unit headquarters must be restored.
Hon. Santa Okot, (PPP, Aruu North County) highlighted the frustration of communities whose expectations were dashed when 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,” she said.
Okot 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.
Hon. Annet Katusiime, (NRM, Bushenyi District Woman Representative), echoed similar sentiments, describing the exclusion of critical projects as “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.” She said.
The committee chairperson stated that indeed the items that were cut were vital especially in areas to do with health sector and community.
The State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, addressed the MPs’ concerns, clarifying the government’s approach to budgetary adjustments.
Musasizi explained that the government has now defined priority areas, including wealth creation programmes, health, education, and critical infrastructure like 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,” he noted.
