Opposition Unveils Shs43 Trillion Alternative Budget: Prioritizing Accountability and People-Centered Approach

The Opposition, led by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mr. Joel Ssenyonyi, has unveiled an alternative budget amounting to Shs43 trillion for the 2024–2025 financial year.

In contrast to the government’s budget emphasizing peace, security, and infrastructure, the opposition’s priorities lie in financial prudence, accountability, and human rights.

This alternative budget, significantly lower than the proposed national budget of Shs58 trillion, aims at fostering resilient communities through combating corruption and promoting efficient service delivery.

Key focus areas include modernizing agriculture, enhancing preventive healthcare, and ensuring quality education.

The unveiling ceremony, held on April 8 at Parliament, highlighted the opposition’s commitment to a budget that is purely people-centered.

The Shadow Minister for Finance, Mr. Ibrahim Ssemujju, stressed the need for a realistic budget, reducing unnecessary expenditures, and focusing on essential services.

He criticized the government’s inflated budget, citing past instances where budget allocations exceeded actual spending.

The Opposition proposes a 75 percent reduction in funding for luxurious items such as ceremonies, travel, and special meals, redirecting these savings to critical sectors like health and education.

The alternative budget emphasizes combating corruption as a priority, urging the government to eliminate corrupt practices among civil servants rather than imposing additional taxes on citizens.

Mr. Ssenyonyi emphasized the need to address corruption, which undermines the country’s development efforts and burdens taxpayers.

The President of the National Unity Platform, Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi, called upon opposition legislators to focus on unseating the current regime, emphasizing the importance of political change for improved service delivery.

ALTERNATIVE BUDGET ALLOCATIONS