Former Kira Municipality Member of Parliament Ssemujju Nganda has sharply criticised the newly presented Uganda national budget, questioning what he describes as misplaced priorities in government spending allocations.
His remarks come shortly after the presentation of the Shs84.3 trillion budget for the Financial Year 2026/27, which places heavy emphasis on debt servicing, security spending, and government operations.
Ssemujju argued that essential public services remain underfunded despite the large size of the national budget, pointing to what he termed glaring gaps in critical sectors.
“There is no 28 billion to pay intern doctors in the budget Museveni is presenting today, no 8 billion for UNEB to train teachers on how to mark the new syllabus, no 3.5 billion to complete the new syllabus,” he stated, highlighting what he views as neglect in health and education support systems.
He contrasted these shortfalls with what he described as substantial allocations for non-essential government expenditure.
According to him, the budget contains “211 billion for welfare and entertainment for big people, 536 billion for special meals and drinks for big people, 196 billion for big people to donate, 17 billion for firewood, gas and charcoal and 2.6 trillion for classified expenditure.”
The former legislator’s comments reflect a broader debate over Uganda’s fiscal priorities, particularly at a time when debt servicing has risen to one of the largest expenditure items in the national budget.
Government data indicates that debt repayment alone accounts for more than Shs33 trillion, while security, administration, and classified expenditures also take a significant share of total spending.
Critics have long argued that such allocations limit fiscal space for frontline services like health, education, and local government development.
Supporters of government policy, however, maintain that security spending and classified allocations are necessary for national stability and strategic state operations, while welfare expenditures are often tied to official functions and state obligations.
The budget is anchored on the theme of full monetisation of Uganda’s economy, with government projecting increased investment in agriculture, industrialisation, infrastructure, and science and technology.
Officials say these priorities are intended to stimulate economic growth and improve household incomes over time.
However, opposition voices like Ssemujju’s continue to question whether the balance between development spending and administrative costs is sustainable, especially amid rising public debt and growing demands for improved public services.