Uganda’s budget, much like a leopard’s striking coat, may appear impressive at first glance, but beneath the surface lies a wild and unsettling reality.
On Tuesday, Parliament turned into a battleground as lawmakers confronted Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) Ramathan Ggoobi over a staggering UGX 1.5 trillion discrepancy in the 2023/2024 budget.
The heated session, led by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) under Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi, saw MPs demand answers from the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (MOFPED).
The Auditor General’s report revealed that while the government collected UGX 47.1 trillion in revenue, it spent UGX 48.68 trillion—an alarming UGX 1.5 trillion overspend.
The Budget Breakdown
The initial budget for the financial year stood at UGX 52.7 trillion, which ballooned to UGX 61.669 trillion after an UGX 8 trillion supplementary request.
Yet, actual expenditures settled at UGX 48.68 trillion, still exceeding the revenue collected.
“Where did the extra UGX 1.5 trillion come from?” questioned MP Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu (Kalungu West), likening the situation to “walking into a supermarket with UGX 47,000 and leaving with goods worth UGX 48,500.”
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Unanswered Questions and Rising Tensions
Ggoobi attempted to explain the gap, suggesting that some funds were drawn from the Petroleum Fund.
However, MPs quickly countered that no parliamentary approval was sought for such a withdrawal. This raised red flags about transparency and accountability.
“They must disclose all revenue sources. Non-disclosure alone is deeply suspicious,” emphasized Adjumani Woman MP Jessica Ababiku.
Acting Accountant General Godfrey Ssemugooma’s clarification only added fuel to the fire.
He cited cash flow issues and unpaid invoices, stating, “We had a negative of UGX 1.658 trillion.”
But MPs dismissed this explanation, with Kivumbi warning, “You cannot dispute the Auditor General’s report.”
A Shadow Over Financial Credibility
Despite mediation attempts by Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa, the mystery of the missing trillions remains unresolved.
The incident has cast a long shadow over the government’s financial management, leaving many to wonder: Who holds the keys to Uganda’s missing billions?
