However, government only started funding political parties in the 2014/2015 financial year to the current financial year. In the 2017/18 Financial year, government only provided the political parties Shs 7.5 billion out of the Shillings 10 billion that was budgeted for.
The Electoral Commission Secretary, Sam Rwakoojo, said no provision has been made for political party funding in the Medium- Term Expenditure Framework in the 2018/19 financial year.
Rwakoojo noted that they presented a budget of Shs 189 billion but only Shs 64 billion has been provided leaving a funding gap of Shs 124 billion.
Richard Todwong, the NRM deputy secretary general, said government cannot fail to provide money for political party activities.
"They cannot fail to have this money, because it plays a very important role in multiparty politics. Since they are still in the budgeting process, we hope they will push for the money," Todwong said.
Jacob Oboth Oboth, the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee Chairperson questioned the underfunding of the Electoral Commission. He however, noted that the political parties must account for the money they receive from government.
Source: URN
