Parliament has approved the controversial supplementary budget despite fierce opposition from Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju, who solely authored a minority report urging legislators to reject the additional expenditure.
Ssemujju
opposed the approval of Shs298 billion for Lubowa Hospital, Shs115 billion for
Atiak Sugar Factory, Shs367 billion for State House, Shs67 billion to Nelson
Tugemu for marketing Uganda’s coffee, and Shs725.42 billion for the Umeme
buyout.
However, it was his revelation that the additional Shs367 billion for State House would push its annual expenditure to Shs1.053 trillion—translating to Shs2.8 billion spent daily, Shs120 million per hour, and Shs2 million per minute—that unsettled many MPs.
His
decision to include images of President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni
in the report further inflamed tempers, with some lawmakers demanding that the
document be expunged from Parliament’s Hansard.
The
Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, objected to the report,
arguing that Ssemujju’s figures created a misleading impression that State
House funds were personally directed to President Museveni.
“While
Ssemujju is presenting the minority report and he has all the rights to do
that, the Rules provide for decorum, and he shouldn’t use language that is
objectionable," he said.
"The
Speaker has the authority to determine if words used in debate are defamatory,
indecent, unparliamentary, or undignified, and can order that they be expunged
from the official record."
Baryomunsi's
Cabinet colleague Peter Ogwang (State for Sports), reinforced this argument,
stating: “First, it is constitutional that this country foots the bills for the
Head of State. Is he in order to assume that the figures he has attributed here
specifically go to Museveni as a person?”
Bukanga
County MP Stephen Kangwagye also dismissed Ssemujju’s claims, insisting that
State House is an institution with operational costs unrelated to the
President’s personal expenses.
“There
is a difference between State House and President Museveni, a very big
difference. When Parliament allocates money to State House, it caters for the
functions of the institution, not Museveni personally. Just like Ssemujju is
facilitated as an MP to perform duties for his constituency, State House
funding is for its operational needs,” Kangwagye said.
Speaker
Anita Among also criticised Ssemujju’s approach, arguing that his use of images
in the report was inappropriate.
“It is
out of courtesy and respect to present a report without including pictures.
When allocating money to Parliament, is it allocated to Among? No, it is for
all MPs, security, and staff. Can’t you debate in this House without mentioning
Museveni and Janet? That would even make your submission better,” Ms Among said.
Out of
the 59 MPs on Parliament’s Budget Committee, only 18 signed the main report
recommending the approval of the controversial Shs4.255 trillion supplementary
budget.
The
majority of those who endorsed it were from the ruling NRM party, while Maxwell
Akora (Maruzi County) of the Uganda People’s Congress was the only opposition
MP to support the approval.
Despite
the intense debate, Parliament proceeded to approve the supplementary budget,
cementing the executive’s financial allocations amid continued scrutiny from
the opposition.
DO YOU HAVE STORY IN YOUR COMMUNITY PLEASE CONTACT OUR EDITORIAL TEAM 0784600360.EMAIL:voiceonemediaupdates@gmail.com.
