The Uganda opposition budget has emerged as a direct counter to the government’s Shs72.3 trillion spending plan for FY2025/26. Presented by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi on June 13, 2025, the Shs55.7 trillion alternative focuses on realistic spending, fiscal integrity, and rooting out systemic corruption.
With the theme “Combating Corruption: The Sure Way to Effective Service Delivery,” the opposition’s plan is anchored in addressing inefficiency and waste that continue to cripple Uganda’s development goals. According to Mr. Ssenyonyi, graft remains the single biggest barrier to national progress.
Uganda Opposition Budget Focuses on Tackling Public Corruption
Ssenyonyi stated that the Uganda opposition budget was necessary to confront the billions lost annually through theft, inflated contracts, and mismanagement. He warned that despite repeated claims of limited resources, corruption drains public coffers, leaving critical services underfunded.
“This theme reflects the urgent need to tackle the systemic corruption that has plagued Uganda’s public institutions,” he said. “It’s time we stop pretending we are broke when our money is being stolen.”
The opposition’s plan groups national priorities into eight integrated clusters, forming the framework of the alternative national budget. These include:
- Economic Development and Planning
- Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources
- Social Services and Human Development
- Governance, Justice, and Constitutional Affairs
- Security and Defence
- Tourism, Culture, and Heritage
- Foreign Relations and Regional Integration
- Public Administration and Local Governance
Core Opposition Budget Priorities: Health, Education, and Infrastructure
The four major drivers within the Uganda opposition budget are health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. These key sectors were identified through nationwide consultation and are seen as crucial to lifting Ugandans out of poverty.
Ssenyonyi referenced the Ombudsman’s 2024 report, highlighting deep corruption in public recruitment. The education sector saw bribe demands worth Shs36.9 billion, while the health sector experienced actual bribes of Shs12.9 billion, showing how corruption blocks service delivery.
Opposition Fiscal Plan Calls for Realistic Revenue Collection
Shadow Finance Minister Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda described the opposition fiscal plan as both lean and practical. He criticized previous unrealistic targets set for the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), which have consistently underperformed:
- FY2020/21: Targeted Shs21.6T, collected Shs19.2T
- FY2021/22: Targeted Shs22.3T, collected Shs21.6T
- FY2022/23: Targeted Shs25.1T, collected Shs23.7T
He advocated for tax reforms that emphasize fairness and enforceability. Ssenyonyi also raised concern over Uganda’s poorly regulated gold sector, which lost Shs68.8 billion in tax revenue due to smuggling and missing permits.
Service Delivery and Accountability in the Uganda Opposition Budget
Maria Nanyanzi of Twaweza Uganda emphasized the urgent need for robust accountability systems. She stated that many government projects suffer from poor monitoring and misused funds, calling for greater transparency.
She said the Uganda opposition budget could rebuild public trust through clear, performance-based allocations. “Accountable systems improve lives more effectively than aggressive enforcement,” she noted.
The opposition’s priorities also align with signs of economic resilience, as Uganda’s coffee exports rise in 2025 and tourism investment gains momentum. These sectors, the opposition argues, deserve strategic, corruption-free funding to unlock growth.
