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Stop budgeting for corruption, CSOs tell MPs

BE Editor 19th Jun, 2024 Economy Pedson Mumbere
Stop budgeting for corruption, CSOs tell MPs

CALL: ACODE boss Arthur Bainomugisha, says corruption is a threat to national security.


In a stirring call to action, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) want Members of Parliament to eliminate budget allocations that enable corruption.

Speaking at a Post-Budget Dialogue for the financial year 2024/25, held under the theme "Transforming Challenges into Opportunities," the CSO noted that corruption was both an economic and national security threat.

"Corruption remains a severe threat to our economy and national security. I am glad the government is taking strong measures against it. We must ensure that corruption is suppressed and does not manifest openly in our society," said Dr. Arthur Bainomugisha, the executive director of Advocates Coalition for Development (ACODE).

  • While discussing the new budget, the CSO highlighted several instances of irregular, unapproved expenditures, including the controversial services award. These expenditures, the CSO argued, exemplify a pattern of financial mismanagement and corruption that must be eradicated.

Corruption, often seen as a malignant force, has deep-rooted impacts on society. It diverts essential resources away from critical development projects and undermines public trust in governmental institutions. The CSO's call to stop budgeting for corruption is not just a financial concern but a plea for moral and ethical governance.

The controversial services award given to the Commissioners of Parliament, was cited by the CSOs as a glaring example of how public funds can be misallocated. Such hefty awards, often dished out without transparent approval processes, can fuel public distrust and hinder genuine developmental efforts.

  • Parliamentarians play a crucial role in this transformation. As representatives of the people, they are tasked with scrutinizing budget allocations and ensuring that public funds are used responsibly. The CSO's call to action is a reminder of their duty to uphold integrity and accountability in all governmental financial matters.

Julius Mukunda, the CEO of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), delivered a stark warning to the government regarding its borrowing practices. He cautioned against the detrimental habit of borrowing to pay salaries and channelling borrowed funds into unproductive, so-called ghost projects.

“It is so sad that the government gets loans and can’t utilize them well. Why do you keep sinking money into ghost projects like the Presidential Initiative on Banana Industrial Development (PIBID) and the specialised hospital at Lubowa?” he asked.

In response, Ramadhan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, said that the government's current borrowing strategy.

Ggoobi asserted that the government is not borrowing to pay salaries but is instead focusing on development projects such as the construction of roads and hospitals.

  • “Our borrowing is directed towards development, like the construction of roads and hospitals,” Ggoobi stated. This shift in narrative aims to reassure the public and stakeholders that the government is prioritizing infrastructure and long-term growth over unsustainable financial practices.

To many of the participants at the dialogue, the CSOs’ emphatic message was a powerful reminder about the ongoing struggle against corruption.

By eliminating corrupt practices, the country can pave the way for a more transparent, accountable, and prosperous future. The extent to which parliamentarians would heed this call and take decisive action to eradicate corruption from the economic system, is what remains to be seen.

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