KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), Timothy Chemonges, has urged Uganda’s Parliament to reconsider its planned budget increase for the next five years, citing citizens’ financial hardships.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The call for restraint from CEPA’s Timothy Chemonges was prompted by Parliament’s own strategic plan, a blueprint that maps a substantial expansion of its budget through the end of the decade.
The strategic plan projects a significant rise in Parliament’s budget, from 917 billion shillings this year to 1.527 trillion shillings in 2029/30.
Mr. Chemonges stated that the large budget increase is difficult to justify, arguing that it is unreasonable for Parliament to spend more while the country and its citizens are being forced to spend less.
He acknowledged that Parliament needs money to do its job, such as making laws and representing the people.
However, he said such a sharp rise in spending raises important questions about the government’s priorities and how it accounts for public funds.
He advised that instead of frequently asking for more money, Parliament should focus on working more efficiently.
Chemonges further stated that any increase in the institution’s funding should lead to clear improvements in service, transparency, and representation, rather than just covering higher administrative costs.
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