Parliament’s Budget Committee Rejects Shs288 Billion Supplementary Budget Request
Kampala, Uganda – The budget committee of Parliament has rejected a Shs288 billion supplementary budget request that was referred to them by the Speaker.
The rejection was based on procedural grounds, with MPs arguing that the budget was brought to the committee illegally, bypassing the necessary parliamentary approval.
The controversial supplementary budget aimed to add to the already approved Shs4.593 trillion in supplementary schedules 1 and 2.
However, legislators questioned the legality of the Speaker’s referral, emphasizing that the committee is restricted to handling business directly referred by the House.
“Mr. Chairman, business for this committee is only referred by the House. The Speaker cannot act outside the rules,” stated Ssemujju Nganda, MP for Kira Municipality.
Following extensive consultations, the committee’s chairperson declared the supplementary budget request as “smuggled,” effectively halting its consideration.
“It will be illegal for this committee to start processing this supplementary request until it becomes business of the House,” remarked Isiagi Opolot.
The rejected budget was intended to fund several entities, including Shs152 billion for the National Council of Sports, Shs132.634 billion for the Uganda National Oil Company, Shs2.5 billion for the Uganda Blood Transfusion Service, and Shs1.49 billion for the Uganda embassy in Geneva.
Shadow Finance Minister Ssemujju Nganda highlighted inconsistencies in the timing of the request, pointing out the impracticality of absorbing such funds just days before the financial year’s closure.
“Government procedures to protect taxpayers’ money are too procedural and extensive. In the remaining days to close the financial year, fulfilling these requirements is impossible, not even procurement,” he noted.
The funds were proposed to be drawn from the petroleum fund, which currently holds up to Shs400 billion. Despite the initial rejection, the committee later decided to reconsider the supplementary expenditure under the correct legal procedures.
The supplementary budget request is now set to be tabled before Parliament on May 16, where it will undergo further scrutiny and debate. This development underscores the importance of adhering to parliamentary procedures and maintaining transparency in government financial processes.
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