State House on the spot over Wasteful Expenditure

In Summary
  • Legislators have identified about Ushs454 billion which they think would be wasteful expenditure by the President. A case in point is the Ushs350 million provided for buying clothes which they feel is a wasteful expenditure
Hon. Ssemujju proposes that Shs43.7bn allocated for official ceremonies and functions under the President’s Office be spent on repairing roads in Kampala and Wakiso
Image: Courtesy

.Opposition MPs on Parliament's Budget Committee have raised concerns over UGX 454 billion earmarked as potential wasteful expenditure by the President.

They question the allocation of UGX 350 million for purchasing the President's clothing.A case in point is the Ushs350 million provided for buying clothes which they feel is a wasteful expenditure as the  President would spend Ushs1 million per year.

"Our President is not a Hollywood star required to change wardrobe every day. He is the President of a poor country. Why buy him clothes worth Ushs 350 million every year. What happened to the clothes that we bought last year?" the Minority  report authors asked.

While reading the contents of the minority report on  the floor of parliament, they pointed out that that they do not agree with the Budget Committee on non-compliance, budget being inconsistent with the plan for 2023/24, facilitation of recourse envelope, revenue impropriety, and, specific issues on budget allocations.

Kira Municipality MP, Hon. Ssemujju proposed that Shs43.7bn allocated for official ceremonies and functions under the President’s Office be spent on repairing roads in Kampala and Wakiso.

“The President’s electricity bill is at UGX 500 million and the water bill at UGX 500 million which is bigger than that of a big factory like Roofings. Whatever they are manufacturing at the State House, Allah knows,” Ssemujju said.

The five legislators have identified about Ushs454 billion which they think would be wasteful expenditure by the President.

They are also questioning the provision of UGX 600 million for furniture in the State House which is the same amount that was appropriated in the current financial year.

They argue that instead of providing for one residence for the President, the government has allocated money for both Nakasero State Lodge and State House Entebbe.

With the National Budget expected to be passed by Parliament and read by the Minister of Finance on June 14, 2023, here are the key strategic priorities for the next financial year.

Peace and security, maintenance of both tarmac and murram roads, construction of power substations and transmission lines, acquisition of right of way and starting the construction of Standard Gauge Railway.

Others include, construction of small-scale solar-powered irrigation, building infrastructure and connecting them to electricity, funding the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, Oil and Gas Development, capitalisation of Uganda Development Bank (UDB) and Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), support to ICT development