Uganda Today: Opposition Unveils Shs 55.7 Trillion “Cleansed Budget” as Citizen-Centric Alternative to Government’s Shs 72.3 Trillion FY2025/26 Plan
In a bold and strategic move, Uganda’s opposition has unveiled a Shs 55.7 trillion alternative national budget for the 2025/26 financial year, dubbed the “Cleansed Budget.” The proposal, tabled days after the official government budget of Shs 72.3 trillion was read to Parliament and President Yoweri Museveni, seeks to recalibrate national priorities and fight entrenched corruption.
Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi described the alternative budget as a fiscally responsible and citizen-focused blueprint built around eight thematic pillars: healthcare, education, agriculture, security, economic planning, infrastructure, environment, and governance.
“The Cleansed Budget is about investing where it matters most — in people. It’s a reset button for a system overwhelmed by waste, patronage, and runaway corruption,” Ssenyonyi told journalists.
A key motivation behind the streamlined Shs 55.7 trillion envelope is the urgent need to curb the estimated Shs 10 trillion lost annually to corruption. The Opposition proposes stringent public finance reforms including improved monitoring systems, tighter procurement regulations, and enhanced protections for whistleblowers.
Delivering the fiscal details, Shadow Finance Minister Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda criticised the government’s inflated revenue projections and reliance on domestic borrowing. He argued for more realistic revenue targets aligned with actual tax collection trends and advocated for better tax administration.
“We need to stop budgeting on hope and start budgeting on evidence. Every shilling must count, especially when our people are struggling to access basic services,” Ssemujju said.
The alternative budget also promises reduced dependency on external financing and reallocation of resources to high-impact sectors like gold and mineral extractives, where inefficiencies and revenue leakages persist.
Though the alternative budget holds no legal authority, its release marks a significant political gesture. It provides a contrasting vision ahead of the 2026 general elections, positioning the Opposition as a government-in-waiting with tangible proposals.
The Cleansed Budget is expected to fuel robust debate in Parliament and among the public, especially at a time when economic hardship, service delivery gaps, and accountability remain top concerns for millions of Ugandans.
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