Uganda’s alternative budget of Shs55.7 trillion, launched by the Leader of Opposition (LoP), directly tackles corruption and strengthens service delivery. While the government presents a Shs72.3 trillion plan, the opposition offers a leaner, people-driven proposal that promotes transparency and realistic development goals.
The theme of Uganda’s alternative budget, “Combating Corruption: The Sure Way to Effective Service Delivery,” reflects a direct commitment to end graft. According to LoP Joel Ssenyonyi, corruption blocks Uganda’s progress more than anything else. Every year, inflated contracts, theft, and poor management drain trillions of shillings. These losses break public trust and limit national growth.
This budget places anti-corruption efforts at the center of Uganda’s development. The opposition plans to redirect funds into sectors that impact daily life, such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. After speaking with Ugandans across the country, the team identified these areas as the most in need of urgent support. Farmers still struggle with poor roads, and patients often wait in clinics that lack medicine.
The opposition structured its plan around eight development clusters. These include governance, planning, natural resources, security, foreign affairs, and local administration. Each cluster supports a broader goal: restore integrity and ensure every public investment creates value for citizens.
Shadow Finance Minister Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda criticized the government for setting unrealistic revenue targets. He cited past shortfalls. For instance, URA aimed to collect Shs21.6 trillion in FY 2020/2021 but only brought in Shs19.2 trillion. In FY 2021/2022, the target was Shs22.3 trillion, but they collected Shs21.6 trillion. FY 2022/2023 saw a similar result, with Shs23.7 trillion collected instead of Shs25.1 trillion.
Ssemujju urged the government to base tax expectations on real economic capacity. He also condemned how weak regulation and smuggling drain revenue. In FY 2023/2024, gold exports worth $3.01 billion (about Shs11 trillion) slipped through without permits. According to the Auditor General, the country lost Shs68.8 billion in revenue during that time.
Mr Timothy Chemonges from the Centre for Policy Analysis criticized the current tax regime. He noted that it targets already burdened businesses instead of supporting growth. He urged policymakers to reform the tax code, making it simpler and fairer. According to him, wealthier citizens should contribute more, while low-income earners must not carry the heaviest load.
Uganda’s alternative budget also exposes corruption in the public recruitment process. The IGG discovered that job applicants in the education sector faced bribe demands totaling Shs36.9 billion. In the health sector, they actually paid Shs12.9 billion in bribes. These figures show how corruption cripples even basic government functions.
Maria Nanyanzi from Twaweza Uganda emphasized the need for stronger accountability. She said officials must properly monitor and evaluate projects to prevent misuse of funds. She believes that unless leaders enforce accountability, budget spending won’t improve lives in any real way.
The opposition also proposed cutting unnecessary administrative expenses. Their plan aims to create more efficiency in local governance and reduce bureaucratic waste. They encouraged communities to track spending so local projects stay transparent and on course.
More importantly, the alternative budget responds to real issues people face. Joel Ssenyonyi said the opposition team built the proposal by listening to ordinary Ugandans. He described how farmers still rely on bicycles to move produce across damaged roads, and how job seekers often need bribes just to get hired.
Uganda’s alternative budget provides a practical, honest solution for the country. It supports fewer, better-funded programs and holds institutions accountable. Instead of focusing on lofty promises, it emphasizes trust, efficiency, and clear priorities. As the government rolls out a larger Shs72.3 trillion plan, the opposition’s Shs55.7 trillion plan offers a credible, people-centered alternative.
