What will it take for the Budget to translate into better outcomes for Ugandans?

Eunice Musiime Kataaha

EVER since the Budget Act was passed in 2001, Ugandans welcomed the openness and transparency that was created.

We transitioned from an era of total black out of what will be contained in the budget to having a fair prediction of the sectors that would get the lion’s share. Hence I was pleasantly surprised that the education budget had managed to attract a lion share topping all other sectors.

Should we then begin to celebrate? Only if it meant that the increased allocations will translate into improvement in the quality of education. In Uganda, we have witnessed the constant flow of scandal and intrigue, one after another.

Most of the time we view it with a little disgust from a distance or every once in a while, respond episodically.

But most of us don’t worry too much about it because we feel we have no control over public resources and hence we are left at the mercy of the leaders we elected.

Sadly, the average man or woman on the street is yet to link the poor services delivery to the money that continues pillaging through the system. Those who appreciate the linkage have given up because in other words, corruption will always be with us.

It is said that Uganda has one of the best legal regime to curb the vice of corruption, but despite that we seem to continuously fall far below the standards. We are, therefore, left wondering if it is possible to reform our society and If so how.

Could we do it with more laws and law enforcement; punishments and confessions; could we do it with better policy, more muscular regulations, internal controls, checks and balances; could we do it with accelerated economic development or could we do it with more awareness and public education?

The answer is that no single measure will do. Combined, they won’t do. You would still come up woefully short. At root, is on the precondition of political will illustrated by consistent and decisive leadership against corruption.

Hidden in there lies the answer. It is only leadership with integrity that counters corruption and ensures that the budget translates into discernable results. That is why one of the tests of a leader is to “take an oath” to act with honesty and integrity.

Is it time to be more than a spectator? Is it time to do more than read about corruption, what about promoting moral and ethical leadership? Certainly we believe in the rule of law, but the rule of law is only enforceable through the state. It begins with leadership.

Where there is abundance of corruption, there is a poverty of leadership. Where there is leadership there is a fighting chance.

Writer is the Programme Coordinator, Policy Engagement & Enhancement at Uganda National NGO Forum