Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has expressed serious concerns over the government’s plan to finance Uganda’s 2025/2026 budget, which includes borrowing an additional 24 trillion shillings, raising the country’s already substantial debt burden of 109.8 trillion shillings.
In a minority report presented to Parliament, Ssemujju warned that such borrowing would put undue strain on Ugandan taxpayers, who are already grappling with the financial weight of the national debt. He criticized the government’s budget priorities, arguing that it was placing greater emphasis on external donations than on essential public services.
“It’s unfortunate that we’re prioritizing donations over services like education,” Ssemujju said, referencing the allocation of 80 billion shillings for donations, while the National Curriculum Development Centre’s request for just 7 billion shillings to develop a new curriculum for senior five students went unmet.
The minority report also took aim at the government’s spending on non-essential items such as workshops, travel, special meals, vehicles, and furniture, while critical sectors such as education and health remain underfunded.
“We need to prioritize the needs of our people, not just cater to the interests of a few,” he added.
Ssemujju’s report has garnered support from fellow MPs, with many praising it for being “pro-people” and for highlighting the risks of Uganda’s growing fiscal challenges.
As Parliament continues to debate the budget framework, Ssemujju’s report is expected to spark a broader conversation on Uganda’s fiscal management and its long-term impact on the country’s development.
