The Democratic Party (DP) youth have criticized the leader of opposition in parliament for unilaterally releasing an alternative budget without the involvement of other opposition member groups.
Ismail Kiirya, the UYD President and acting spokesperson, expressed disappointment that the budget that the budget was drafted and presented without the inclusion of parties such as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), JEEMA, and the Alliance for National Coalition.
Kiirya mentioned the importance of unity among opposition parties and called for inclusive collaboration inclusive in such initiatives. He stated the need for broader participation in shaping alternative policies.
Kiirya says such initiatives should bring together all opposition parties to work together for a better cause.However, he only first saw the launch from social media and didn’t see any invite handed over to DP, UPC, FDC, PPP among others.
“We want to inform the leader of opposition that opposition is made up of parties in parliament on opposition. Such initiatives Should bring together all opposition” said kiirya
Led by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, the opposition leadership presented a 43 trillion Alternative Budget for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The budget, read by the Shadow Minister of Finance, Hon Semujju Nganda, focuses on prioritizing human rights and combating corruption. Despite being thinner in attendance, the ceremony held within the parliament premises was graced by the presence of National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine.
The budget proposal aims to address key national issues while reducing domestic financing, extra borrowing, and debt rollover, with increased emphasis on local revenue generation.
The budget is less by 15 trillion as compared to the national budget that stands at 58.4 trillion shillings. The budget reduces on domestic financing from 4.1 tillion to 1.2 trillion, it reduces extra borrowing from 8.8 tillion to 5.4 trillion and debt rollover from 9.4 trillion to 4.1 trillion and it adds 287.1 b to local revenue estimated, among other alternatives.
Among the priorites are health care, education, infrastructure among others.
Following the presentation of the Alternative Budget Priorities for the financial year 2024/25, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, the leader of the NUP Party, as the only opposition party leader in the house, rallied his party members to advocate for leadership change in the country.
Kyagulanyi who was previously introduced by members paraded infront of him, emphasized the importance of implementing better policies, as outlined in the alternative budget, through concerted efforts within the political landscape.
He urged Platform Party members to actively participate in driving forward the agenda for policy reform and improved governance, aligning with the objectives outlined in the budget proposal.