Speaker Among Urges Adequate Funding for Health, Roads Sectors in Budget Allocation

As Members of Parliament (MPs) prepare to pass the Appropriation Bill, Speaker Anita Among has called on legislators to allocate sufficient funds to the health and roads sectors. The current state of infrastructure in the country is under significant strain, exemplified by the recent collapse of the Katonga bridge, leading to severe disruptions in traffic bound for South Western Uganda.

During the plenary session on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Speaker Among highlighted the urgency of addressing these challenges. She emphasized the need to repair the roads and improve the health sector, stating, “Katonga is cut off, you cannot go to Masaka; the communities are cut off; the roads must be worked on… the health sector must be worked on.”

Hon. Ronald Balimwezo, a member of the National Unity Platform representing Nakawa Division East, shared his personal experience as a victim of poor road conditions. He urged the government to prioritize infrastructure development, pointing out that neighbouring countries like Tanzania and Kenya have made significant investments in their road networks. Balimwezo emphasized the importance of robust infrastructure for public safety and well-being.

With the projected budget of nearly Shs52 trillion, concerns have been raised about the allocation of funds for loan repayment and recurrent expenditure, potentially leaving limited resources for discretionary appropriation by MPs across various sectors. As requests for funding pour in from different regions of the country, MPs face the challenging task of prioritizing and allocating resources effectively.

Furthermore, Speaker Among expressed her dissatisfaction with the persistent absenteeism of Members, likening it to corruption. She assured stern action against non-compliant MPs, emphasizing the importance of their active participation in legislative duties.

Ensuring adequate funding for the health and roads sectors is crucial for the well-being and development of the nation, and it is hoped that MPs will carefully consider the resource allocation to address pressing infrastructure needs and promote the overall welfare of the population.