Opposition unveils 2025/2026 budget, prioritising anti-corruption efforts

1 April 2025, 10:48 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Opposition Members of Parliament, under the leadership of the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Senyonyi, Member of Parliament for Nakawa west, yesterday launched their alternative budget at Parliament, as required by law. According to Hon. Senyonyi, this year’s budget is themed “Combating corruption, the Sure way to effective service delivery.” In his remarks, he emphasised that the country needs to strengthen budget discipline and reduce the appetite for supplementary budgets.

“We must strengthen budget discipline by eliminating unnecessary supplementary budgets. They are a sign of poor planning and should only be used for unforeseeable circumstances, such as a tragedy, like the floods we are currently seeing in Kampala,” he explained.

Similarly, National Unity Platform (NUP) party president Robert Kyagulanyi expressed his pleasure at joining other leaders for the launch of the budget and thanked Hon. Senyonyi for his excellent leadership. “Many times, regime apologists claim that we only criticise Museveni and do not present policy alternatives. Well, every year, our team has consistently proposed what we would do differently if we were in government. Corruption is the greatest evil our country faces,” he said.

Former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Winnie Kiiza, who was also in attendance, noted that corruption is undeniably the biggest obstacle to the country’s progress. “I appeal to the government to adopt good practices in managing our country’s resources, rather than treating it like a small kiosk,” she said.

The Secretary General of NUP, David Lewis Rubongoya, expressed his appreciation to the Leader of the Opposition and his team for organising the event. “The Leader of the Opposition has consistently delivered policy alternatives that would drive our nation towards true development,” he said.

The launch was attended by various political leaders, including Jimmy Akena of the Uganda Peoples’ Congress, Kenny Lukyamuzi of the Conservative Party, Kampala Lord Mayor and acting leader of the PPF, Erias Lukwago, among others. They all expressed their appreciation for the Leader of the Opposition and his team for their efforts in creating the alternative budget, which they believe, if implemented, would ensure citizens receive the service delivery they deserve.