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Parliamentary sitting. [Photos: Parliamentary Press]
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Kampala
Tension marked proceedings in Parliament as legislators raised concerns over heavy security deployment around the precincts, uncertainty over the status of Cabinet, and the urgency surrounding the approval of supplementary expenditure for the new financial year.
Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda questioned the heightened security presence around Parliament, saying it creates an uneasy environment for legislators expected to carry out their duties.
Ssemujju expressed concern over the safety and independence of Members of Parliament, noting that the unusual deployment could intimidate lawmakers and affect the conduct of parliamentary business.
At the same sitting, Busiro East MP Medard Lubega Sseggona sought guidance from the Speaker regarding the status of Cabinet following a statement by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni indicating that he had chaired the “final Cabinet meeting” of the outgoing government and hosted ministers to a luncheon.
Sseggona argued that if Cabinet had effectively concluded its business, Parliament needed clarity on the legitimacy of ministers continuing to appear before it.
“If Cabinet held its final meeting, what is the status of ministers appearing before this House?” he asked.
Debate on Supplementary Expenditure
The concerns emerged as Parliament considered a Supplementary Expenditure request for the Financial Year 2025/2026.
Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Henry Musasizi, defended the request, saying the additional funding is necessary to enable government meet urgent obligations before the close of the financial year.
“The requirements cannot wait for the new financial year,” Musasizi said, urging Parliament to approve the expenditure.
However, several MPs questioned both the timing and necessity of the supplementary budget.
Ssemujju Nganda, who moved a motion on the matter, pointed to funding gaps in critical education institutions, noting that the National Curriculum Development Centre had not been allocated UGX 4 billion, while the Uganda National Examinations Board missed UGX 8 billion for marking Senior Six examinations.
He warned that such omissions could disrupt key education processes.
Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi also cast doubt on the urgency of the expenditure, arguing that some of the items listed were foreseeable and should have been planned for within the main budget.
“We are in the last sitting and appear to be appropriating money in haste,” Ssenyonyi said, referencing earlier concerns raised over government projects, including Atiak.
House Approves Next Steps
Despite the concerns, the Speaker put the question for the Supplementary Expenditure Schedule to be considered, and Parliament approved its progression to the Committee of Supply for detailed scrutiny.
The Committee of Supply subsequently presented its report, which was adopted by the House, clearing the way for final approval of the supplementary expenditure.
The developments come amid heightened political activity and scrutiny of government spending, as Parliament races against time to conclude business before the end of the financial year.
Torch Media Africa
