Parliament has approved shs32.4 trillion as the annual national Budget for the 2018/2019 financial year.
The House presided over by the Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, on Friday 1 June 2018 passed the budget after missing the May 31st deadline. This prompted Oulanyah to grant an extension in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act.
Clause 14(2) of the Act states that, “The Speaker may extend by any period for consideration and approval of the annual budget by Parliament for a reasonable period”.
The Budget Committee in its report as presented by the Chairperson Hon Amos Lugoloobi stated that the budget will focus on enhancing production and productivity of the agriculture, tourism and the oil an gas sectors. He added that the budget would also enhance the productivity of growth sectors and address public service salary increments.
“This will also speed up implementation of road and energy infrastructure, improve the healthcare services, focus on salary increments for some selected public service categories and also support private sector investments so as to cater for the key interventions,” Lugoolobi said.
A minority report, read by Hon Cecilia Ogwal (FDC, Dokolo District) stated that there were dissenting observations especially with the resource envelope and key sectoral recommendations in the approved National Budget Framework Paper.
“The Ministry did not consider the recommendations for the sectors of agriculture, public service, treasury operations, gender and trade and industry,” Ogwal said.
The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Hon. Matia Kasaija called for proper monitoring of the projects that will be targeted by the budget. He urged Members to get involved in the oversight role as the country moves towards industrialisation.
“We have appropriated funds and they have gone to different sectors. Let us all be accountable for these funds. We need to get feedback about the projects in different parts of the country. As people’s representatives, please keep an eye on your districts because I cannot be everywhere at the same time,” he said.
The House approved the budget estimates for the 2018/2019 financial year with Recurrent Expenditure at shs9.4 trillion, development expenditure at shs13 trillion and statutory expenditure at shs10 trillion.
The Minister of Finance will present the budget to the nation on behalf of the President on the 14 June 2018.
