The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has disclosed that the forthcoming 2025/26 Alternative Budget will prioritize the combat towards corruption, describing it as the largest obstacle to Uganda’s growth. He emphasised that, again and again, Ugandans are disadvantaged of important companies beneath the pretext of inadequate funds, but reviews of embezzled public sources proceed to floor.
He made these remarks whereas addressing the Opposition Caucus throughout discussions on the Alternative Priority Areas for the 2025/26 Financial Year at Parliament. Ssenyonyi famous that this 12 months’s Opposition budgeting course of is anchored on the theme, “Combating Corruption: The Key to Effective Service Delivery.”
“This theme straight addresses the center of Uganda’s most pressing points. Corruption stays essentially the most vital impediment to our nation’s progress. Year after 12 months, residents are instructed that sources are restricted, but we witness trillions misplaced to mismanagement, inflated contracts, and outright theft. These aren’t simply statistics—they characterize stolen alternatives for our youngsters, our communities, and our nation’s future,” Ssenyonyi remarked.
The Opposition Leader additionally urged Members of Parliament to persist in talking out towards corruption, regardless of the criticism and backlash they might face for his or her outspoken stance on the problem.
Ssenyonyi additional knowledgeable the Opposition Caucus that in contrast to earlier caucus conferences, this workshop isn’t just one other gathering however a possibility to pause, mirror, and strategize on how greatest to execute their tasks. He confused that the Opposition’s obligation extends past merely criticizing the federal government it should additionally current viable options.
“We should acknowledge that these in authority will typically try to undermine us. They will label us as overly vital or disruptive. But let me inform you this: if standing up for justice makes us appear disruptive, we should always embrace that label with satisfaction. If demanding accountability is perceived as complaining, then we should always elevate our voices even louder. Because if we don’t converse for the individuals of Uganda, who will?” Ssenyonyi asserted.
“Ugandans are in search of management, options, and hope. Today, we’ll hear from consultants, together with the Parliamentary Budget Office and civil society representatives, who will improve our understanding of the finances and its impression. But extra importantly, we’ll outline the choice insurance policies and priorities we intend to champion in 2025/26. We should formulate insurance policies that redirect public sources towards environment friendly service supply and away from wastage and corruption,” he added.
Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, recommended the Opposition for its efforts in combating corruption by way of Accountability Committees. However, she urged them to transcend exposing wrongdoers and give attention to recovering stolen public funds, as this could be extra helpful to taxpayers than futile prosecutions.
“I acknowledge the nice work being completed by the Leader of the Opposition and your committees. What is but to be seen in Parliament’s work is the restoration of misappropriated funds. We are conscious that prosecution on this nation is ineffective. We have rule by legislation, the place the federal government solely prosecutes its opponents whereas shielding its allies. Therefore, it might be extra impactful for the Leader of the Opposition and your shadow cupboard to push for the restoration of misplaced funds moderately than merely handing over culprits to the police. This could be extra helpful to taxpayers than spending more cash on sham prosecutions that lead nowhere, which is one more waste of public funds,” Bireete acknowledged.
The Centre for Constitutional Governance additionally urged the Opposition Caucus to strain the federal government into prioritizing the financing of important sectors comparable to training and healthcare as a substitute of relying on overseas help.
Bireete added, “I count on the Leader of the Opposition and the Shadow Cabinet to make sure that these vital sectors are totally funded by the federal government. Whether USAID restores its funding or not, donor contributions ought to be directed towards much less essential areas, whereas well being and training ought to stay a authorities precedence. Given our present financial constraints each nationally and globally with a shrinking income base and the freeze on donor help by USAID, vital sectors like well being and training have been severely impacted. It is crucial that the federal government steps up and takes full duty.”
