Parliament approves extra sh4.255 trillion for govt spending

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Parliament has approved a supplementary budget request of shillings 4.255 trillion to honour the government’s commitments and obligations.

The commitments and obligations include outstanding certificates to road construction companies, security-related expenditures and the completion of Hoima Stadium.

Others are the commencement of Aki Bua Stadium, training facilities and operational expenses in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027, among others.

On Wednesday (March 12), the finance state minister for general duties, Henry Musasizi, presented this supplementary expenditure schedule number three for the financial year 2024/25 to the parliamentary committee on budget.

He told the committee that the supplementary expenditure schedule No.3 will be funded from a combination of additional tax revenue and non-tax revenue, additional borrowing as well as already committed external financing.

The respective benefitting government ministries, departments and agencies were present to provide further information and justification for this supplementary request, according to the finance ministry.

In the afternoon, Dicksons Kateshumbwa (Sheema Municipality), tabled the supplementary request before the House plenary on behalf of the budget committee for consideration and approval.

He told the session chaired by Speaker Anita Among that the Ministry of Defence needs shillings 186 billion to cater for operational shortfalls and classified expenditure, while the Police require sh190.9b for operational shortfalls.

The Police’s shortfall is in respect of food, crime intelligence and investigations, utilities, classified assets, vehicles for district Police commanders and domestic arrears.

He also said the works ministry will get shillings 61.9 billion as payment to complete the standard gauge railway, without which the Government will not have access to inspection sites which are needed as sites for fitting the digital number plates.

The ruling party MP also stated that shillings 115 billion is set aside for the Atiak Sugar Factory in northern Uganda to meet operational expenses while shillings one billion for the public service ministry for the emoluments, medical and funeral expenses for former leaders.

“The committee was informed that State House required shillings 5.7 billion to cater for classified expenditure, and shillings 3.2 billion to support the Internal Security Organisation to carry out operations to stop citizens from abusive use of wetlands,” Kateshumbwa said.

Shadow finance minister and Kira Municipality Forum for Democratic Change party MP Ibrahim Ssemujju asked Parliament to reject the entire budget request, saying it violates the law and is wasteful. He claimed it is a cover to abuse government funds.

Speaker Among adjourned the House sine die, meaning the day of resumption is to be indicated.

Last May, Parliament passed the national budget for the 2024/25 financial year, approving a total expenditure of shillings 72.136 trillion following the passing of the Appropriations Bill 2024.

This reflected a significant increase of shillings 14.050 trillion from the initial budget proposal of sh58.34 trillion.

The budget comprises recurrent expenditure of 18.9 trillion and development expenditure of 34.7 trillion, with the total amount, including statutory expenditure standing at 72.136 trillion.