SEATINI Uganda Joins Government and Other CSOs to Launch the National Budget Month (NBM)
SEATINI Uganda joined the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and other Civil Society Organizations to launch the National Budget Month (NBM) activities for Financial Year (FY) 2021/22. The Official Launch of the NBM activities was held on 14th May 2021 at the Uganda Media Centre.
According to the MoFPED, the National Budget Month aims at creating awareness about priorities of the National Budget and opportunities it presents to all Ugandans in all spheres of life and gives more information and clarification on key issues and concerns raised by the Public in the Budget Process.
While launching the National Budget Month, the Minister of Finance, Hon. Matia Kasaija noted that the NBM is part of the Budget Transparency Initiatives that enable Government to interact with citizens on budget-related matters.
Hon. Matia Kasaija added that the priority allocations in the Budget for FY2021/22 (excluding debt) for major service delivery sectors include; Human Capital Development (Health, Education, etc.) – UShs. 7,766 Billion; Governance and Security – UShs. 6,968 Billion; Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services – UShs. 5,070 Billion; Agro-Industrialization – UShs. 1,688 Billion.
Regarding public debt, Kasaija said it is projected to rise to 51.9% of GDP in FY 2021/22 on account of borrowing to finance key infrastructure projects especially in transport, oil and gas. Kasaija assured the country that Uganda’s debt remains sustainable and much of the borrowed money is being used to invest in projects that will grow our economy.
Representing the Civil Society, the Executive Director of CSBAG, Julius Mukunda tasked the Government to exercise accountability and transparency in the National Budget processes and avoid wastage of public resources through corruption.
The Commissioner General of URA, John Musinguzi Rujoki revealed that URA has only 1.7 million taxpayers out of the 46 million Ugandans. He implored all Ugandans to contribute to the development of their country through paying taxes given that the country cannot depend on borrowing and thus the need to raise sufficient resources domestically to finance Uganda’s development.
During the Budget Month SEATINI Uganda together with other National Budget Month Partners (The Bank of Uganda, Uganda Revenue Authority, Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group, Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment, Public Sector Foundation Uganda and Overseas Development Institute) will organize a series of activities towards increasing citizens’ understanding and participating in the budget process.
