Politics 2 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Speaker's Budget Skyrockets Sevenfold in Six Years Amidst Scrutiny
An analysis of parliamentary budgets reveals a sevenfold increase in the Speaker's office allocation over the past six years, coinciding with a doubling of the overall Parliament budget. This surge has drawn public criticism and calls for downsizing, especially in light of allegations of corruption and lavish spending. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/speaker-budget-grows-seven-times-over-six-years-5481804
The financial operations of the Ugandan Parliament have come under intense scrutiny as analyses reveal a dramatic increase in the budgets allocated to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker over the last six years. The Speaker’s office, in particular, has seen its budget grow approximately seven times, while the Deputy Speaker’s allocation has expanded by roughly eight times.
This substantial rise in expenditure for the top parliamentary leadership has occurred even as the number of elected Members of Parliament has remained constant. The overall budget for Parliament has doubled to Shs1.2 trillion within the same period. This financial surge happened during the tenure of former Speaker Anita Among, who is currently facing investigations for alleged corruption and illicit enrichment.
Further fueling public concern are reports of billions of shillings allegedly being channeled through private accounts of parliamentary staff for donations. Activists have also pointed to numerous new staff recruitments during the 11th Parliament, which may have contributed to inflated personnel budgets.
Specific figures from the 2025/2026 financial year show significant spending on travel, vehicle maintenance, and notably, Shs5.42 billion allocated for the Speaker’s donations. This practice has drawn sharp criticism from some legislators who argue that taxpayer money should not be used for such purposes.
Legislators like Florence Asiimwe Akiiki have questioned the lavish spending, citing the example of thirteen cars allocated to the Speaker and expressing disbelief at the concept of a Speaker acting as a donor with public funds. Other MPs, such as Jackson Kafuuzi and Patrick Ogwang Obura, have voiced concerns about the Parliament’s diminished image and called for leaders who can restore public trust, emphasizing the need for better financial discipline and responsible use of resources.