The Ugandan parliament's Committee on Budget, led by Amos Kankunda, has reviewed the 2025/2026 budget report and raised questions about the substantial increase in the budget of President Yoweri Museveni's office. The office's budget rose to 982 billion shillings, a significant increase from the initial allocation of 119 billion shillings. This has sparked debate among lawmakers, who are seeking explanations for the large increase.
The Committee on Budget questioned the large increase in the president's office budget, which rose by over 862 billion shillings. The committee's concerns were addressed by Finance Minister Henry Musasizi, who appeared before the committee on November 11, 2026. Musasizi explained that the government has a responsibility to ensure the president has sufficient funds to carry out his duties.
According to Musasizi, the president's office had requested additional funding to cover unexpected expenses related to security and other confidential activities. The minister stated that it is challenging to determine the exact amount of funds required by the president's office in advance, as the needs can be unpredictable. He emphasized that the government has a duty to support the president in carrying out his duties.
However, some lawmakers were not convinced by Musasizi's explanations. Harriet Nakwede, a member of parliament, questioned why the Ministry of Finance did not assist the president's office in preparing a more accurate budget, to avoid frequent requests for supplementary funding. Nakwede expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the budgeting process.
The debate over the president's office budget has highlighted concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in Uganda's budgeting process. Lawmakers have called for greater scrutiny of government expenditures, particularly those related to the president's office. The controversy has sparked a wider discussion about the need for reforms in Uganda's budgeting and financial management systems.
The incident has also raised questions about the extent of presidential powers and the oversight role of parliament in Uganda. Some critics have argued that the president's office has become too powerful, with too much influence over the budgeting process. Others have called for greater accountability and transparency in government expenditures.
The Ugandan government has faced criticism in the past for its handling of public finances, with some arguing that there is a lack of transparency and accountability. The controversy over the president's office budget has highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of government expenditures and the importance of parliamentary oversight.
Key points
- The Ugandan parliament has raised concerns over the significant increase in the budget of President Yoweri Museveni's office.
- The budget rose to 982 billion shillings for the 2025/2026 financial year, a significant increase from the initial allocation of 119 billion shillings.
- Lawmakers have called for greater transparency and accountability in the budgeting process, citing concerns about the lack of oversight and potential for abuse of power.
