Uganda has unveiled its National Budget for the financial year 2024/25, setting the stage for a year marked by ambitious economic plans and a renewed focus on combating corruption.
Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija presented the Shs72 trillion budget, allocating a significant portion—Shs32 trillion—for debt repayment.
This highlights the government's commitment to addressing the nation's growing debt, despite Uganda Revenue Authority's (URA) historical challenges in meeting revenue targets.
"Uganda's economy is at a pivotal moment," Kasaija stated. "This budget prioritizes industrialization, commercial agriculture, ICT, and services to foster wealth creation and sustainable development."
The URA is tasked with collecting Shs32.3 trillion in the coming fiscal year, a target that poses a considerable challenge given the agency's recent performance, which saw it fall short of the Shs29 trillion goal in 2023/2024.
Uganda's budget figures contrast with its East African counterparts—Kenya's budget stands at USD31 billion, Tanzania's at USD18.9 billion, and Rwanda's at USD1.9 billion. This regional comparison underscores Uganda's ambitious fiscal planning.
President Yoweri Museveni, in his address, emphasized wealth creation and took a firm stance against corruption, calling on the judiciary to expedite corruption cases.
His remarks were seen as a veiled reference to the ongoing controversy involving parliamentary commissioners accused of misappropriating Shs1.7 billion.
"Corruption is very dangerous," Museveni asserted. "Don’t involve me in your struggles with the Commissioners; that is another matter, but it is corruption."
This statement has added fuel to the already heated debate within parliament. A censure motion against the commissioners faces significant hurdles, yet it could catalyze a broader discussion on parliamentary corruption.
The motion has gained traction amid the backdrop of three MPs—Cissy Namujju (Lwengo District), Yusuf Mutembuli (Bunyole East), and Paul Akamba (Busiki County)—being remanded in Luzira Prison for allegedly soliciting a bribe from the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
Their bail hearing is scheduled for June 14th.Political analysts suggest Museveni's comments might sway National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislators' decisions on whether to support the censure motion.
The president's direct involvement, or lack thereof, could significantly impact the motion's success.
"As the president has highlighted, the fight against corruption is crucial for our national integrity and development," remarked political analyst Dr. Sarah Nkonge. "
The coming days will reveal whether parliament can unite to address these serious allegations."The National Budget's focus on wealth creation through industrialization, agriculture, ICT, and services is a strategic move aimed at stimulating economic growth. However, the looming shadow of corruption threatens to undermine these efforts.
As Uganda embarks on this fiscal journey, the interplay between economic policy and anti-corruption measures will be critical in determining the nation's path forward.
The outcome of the censure motion and the broader efforts to tackle corruption within parliament will be pivotal in shaping Uganda's political and economic landscape in the year ahead.
