Politics 6 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Parliament Approves Shs1.1 Trillion Supplementary Budget Amid Controversy
Uganda's Parliament has passed a Shs1.1 trillion supplementary budget, allocating funds to State House, Electoral Commission, Atiak Sugar Factory, and others, despite opposition concerns over skipped scrutiny and questionable priorities. Critics highlighted funding for private projects while essential sectors like education face shortfalls. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/inside-the-shs1-1-trillion-supplementary-budget-5448890
Parliament approved a Shs1.1 trillion supplementary budget under schedule five, enabling the government to fund various activities before the new financial year.
Of this amount, Shs586.2 billion falls within a three percent limit requiring no prior approval, while Shs519 billion needed parliamentary okay.
The budget bypassed the Budget Committee after MP Fox Odoi’s motion to suspend rules, backed by NRM members but opposed by others.
Key allocations include Shs410 billion to State House (Shs300 billion already spent), Shs56 billion to Electoral Commission for LC1 and LC2 elections, Shs130 billion to Uganda Police Force, Shs107 billion for pensions and wages, Shs29.7 billion for Africa Cup of Nations, Shs23.2 billion for seed schools, and Shs3 billion for President Museveni’s swearing-in.
Atiak Sugar Factory received Shs37 billion more, despite past funding totaling hundreds of billions and no recent sugar production. Districts got Shs9.9 billion, with wage increases split between central and local governments.
Funds also went to health facilities, Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Energy, NITA-U, agricultural research, Office of the President, Local Government, Gender, Water, EAC Affairs, and Kampala Capital City Authority.
State Minister Henry Musasisi argued the funds cover end-of-year activities, but opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi questioned the ‘unforeseeable’ label for known events and timing near Parliament’s term end.
Ssenyonyi criticized ongoing bailouts for projects like Atiak, Dei Biopharma, and others yielding little, calling them drains on taxpayers amid unmet basic needs.
MP Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda lamented ignored education needs, like curriculum development and teacher training, versus ceremonial spending.
Defenders like Minister David Bahati promised Atiak sugar production by September, citing irrigation progress, while Acholi MP Anthony Akol noted supply boosts.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)