Parliament Protests 50% Budget Cut by Finance Ministry

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has voiced her protest against the Ministry of Finance’s decision to slash parliament’s budget by 50%.

Among, along with other legislators, has criticized the ministry’s move as humiliating and demeaning, stating that the deduction covers MPs’ salaries.

During a plenary session on March 28, 2024, Among responded to concerns raised by Nathan Byanyima, the Bukanga North Member of Parliament, who questioned Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, for announcing a 50% budget cut to parliament.

“You even have the courtesy to put it in bold letters on a statutory vote that parliament should not get money,” Among remarked.

Byanyima questioned where the PSST acquired the authority to announce the 50% budget cut to parliament and assert that parliament lacks the power to alter budgets submitted by the Ministry of Finance.

“What has happened to the Ministry of Finance? In previous years, the occupants of the office of Secretary to the Treasury were people of high caliber. How can Ggoobi announce the 50% budget cut?” Byanyima queried.

Sarah Opendi, the Tororo District Woman MP, raised concerns about parliament’s role after Ggoobi, appearing on local television, stated that parliament has no power to budget, citing it as an executive function.

“He said that parliament has no powers to move money from one vote to another because budgeting for the country isn’t the responsibility of Parliament, so we are asking what our role is as Parliament,” Opendi expressed.

She noted that Uganda’s problem lies in appointing individuals who have not undergone public service to sensitive positions, as the Treasury should ascend from the bottom to the top. She added that when chosen from elsewhere, they fail to respect leaders.

Henry Musasizi, the State Minister for Finance, urged the august house to disregard statements made by the PSST regarding not having powers of appropriation, stating that such statements do not represent the Finance ministry.

This development arises at a time when Parliament is under scrutiny for corruption allegations and wasteful expenditures. However, it is unclear whether the Ministry of Finance based its decision on findings exhibited on social media or its own investigations.