Opposition legislators have presented an alternative Shs55.7 trillion budget aimed at combating corruption and addressing key national reform areas. Led by Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, the proposed budget reduces the government’s Shs71.9 trillion proposal for Financial Year 2025/2026 by a substantial Shs16.5 trillion, positioning anti-corruption measures as the cornerstone of effective service delivery.
The alternative budget, unveiled under the theme “Combating Corruption: The Sure Way to Effective Delivery,” outlines concrete strategies to reclaim public resources that have been diverted through corrupt practices. This comes after opposition leaders dismissed the government’s budget as both “unrealistic and unattainable” following its presentation on March 27.
“Our alternative budget priorities focus on investing in key sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and infrastructure to drive inclusive development,” Ssenyonyi stated during the presentation at the Parliament Conference Hall in Kampala. “Adequate funding for public hospitals, support for small-scale farmers, improvements in education, and investment in sustainable infrastructure are essential for building an economy that benefits all Ugandans.”
Strategic Resource Mobilization
The opposition’s budget proposes several significant departures from the government’s resource mobilization strategy. While both sides agree that the Uganda Revenue Authority can collect Shs35.6 trillion locally (up from Shs32 trillion in the current fiscal year), the opposition projects substantial reductions in other areas:
- Budget support reduced from Shs1.3 trillion to Shs26.6 billion
- Net domestic borrowing cut to Shs6.2 trillion (government projection: Shs9.2 trillion)
- External financing for project support decreased by Shs1.4 trillion
- Domestic refinancing rollover cut by more than half from the current Shs12 trillion
- Local government collections increased to Shs319.4 billion
These adjustments result in a budget approximately Shs10 trillion less than the government’s projected resource envelope of Shs66.08 trillion.
Transparency and Accountability Measures
A centerpiece of the opposition’s budget is the proposal to place all government contracts online, enabling citizens to monitor and hold officials accountable. “We propose placing every government contract online so citizens can hold the government accountable. We also advocate protecting whistleblowers rather than punishing them,” Ssenyonyi emphasized.
The budget presentation attracted key opposition figures, including National Unity Platform party president Robert Kyagulanyi, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Conservative Party’s John Ken Lukyamuzi, and Uganda People’s Congress party President Jimmy Akena, demonstrating unified support across opposition parties.
Prioritizing Essential Services
With the 2024 Census revealing that 18.9 percent of households rely on unimproved water sources and 49.7 percent on unimproved sanitary facilities, the opposition budget emphasizes infrastructure investments in water and sanitation. It specifically advocates for expanding sanitation programs to promote safe toilet facilities in areas with high open defecation rates.
Healthcare receives particular attention, with calls to increase the health budget from the current 6.1 percent to at least 15 percent. The opposition proposes practical solutions such as:
- Introducing a health levy on luxury goods
- Deploying mobile maternal health clinics
- Expanding mental health services
Sector-Specific Priorities
The alternative budget outlines detailed priorities across multiple sectors:
Finance and Economic Development
- Improved public debt management to reduce excessive borrowing
- Strengthened budget discipline by eliminating unnecessary supplementary budgets
Trade and Industry
- Support for value addition and industrialization
- Removal of non-tariff barriers limiting Ugandan exports
Works and Transport
- Development of a holistic, multi-modal transportation plan
- Investment in capacity building and skills development
ICT and Technology
- Focus on infrastructure development and digital services
- Implementation of a National STI Law to regulate intellectual property
Education
- Subject-specific training for educators implementing the new curriculum
- Addressing staffing shortages, especially in sciences and languages
“We advocate a budget that centres on the people’s needs, fostering a more just and prosperous Uganda,” Ssenyonyi concluded. “This is achievable once we put people first and combat corruption, which is draining resources meant for essential services.”
