“The Q3 release aligns with our efforts to reallocate resources from old priorities to key growth drivers. Our focus remains on promoting technical efficiency and ensuring service delivery at the lowest cost,” said Ggoobi.
Faced with declining external financing, the government has to make its priorities right to ensure that the available resources are optimally utilized, but fears are that this might hurt other sectors, especially social services and agriculture.
"So, Kilembe Mines: the final, final, final signature is expected by November 1; that's when we shall have the signature," said Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, during the 13th Uganda Mineral Wealth Conference in Kampala.
Namuwenge issued this directive while chairing a stakeholders' meeting with PDM beneficiaries at Bududa district headquarters Tuesday. The meeting was organized by PDM and Emyooga programs officials, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Planning, who are currently in the Bugisu Sub-region to assess the progress and implementation of the programs.
Evelyn Anite, the State Minister for Finance in charge of Investment and Privatization, noted some progress in extending the US$ 5 cents per unit electricity rate to manufacturers.
Cumulatively, the tax exemptions on MPs allowances have so far cost the government 638.6 billion Shillings since 2018, according to the Tax Expenditure Report for Financial Year 2022/23, by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
The Civil society organisations, including the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), SEATINI Uganda (a tax and trade rights NGO), health rights group (CERHUD), Food Rights Alliance, Oxfam Uganda and Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER), fear for missed priorities and increasing debt burden.
In the first seven months of 2023/2024, government expenditure was 20.68 trillion, out of the 24 trillion that had been planned, with interest payments shooting by 47 billion beyond the budgeted.
Gillian Twesigye, the Kamwenge District Commercial Officer, notes that while compiling the report, they discovered that poverty and incompetent leaders were among the major causes for the collapse of the Saccos.
