Gov’t revises economic growth to 6.3 per cent

As Ugandans eagerly await for the reading of financial year 2019/20 budget, a lot of mind boggling and brainstorming continues to characterise the corridors of civil society activists, the media fraternity and independent mind opinion leaders.

This was the case, during the launch of the national budget for 2019/20, at the ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in Kampala, on Tuesday.

In his speech to the media and civil society, minister of state for Finance, in charge of General Duties, Gabriel Ajedra said: "The economy has recovered from the low growth rate experienced two years ago. He said based on the robust performance in the first half of FY 2018/19, the economy is expected to grow faster than earlier projected and as a result, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for the financial year 2018/19 has been revised to 6.3 per cent from 6.0 per cent."

This however, did not go well with Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) executive director, Julius Mukunda.

He said economic growth should be reflected in the wellbeing of Ugandans and not mere figures and percentages.

Citing the current laws on salaries of civil servants, Mukunda said: “There is need to revise the current laws governing civil servants, such as; teachers, medical personnel, police and others, whose salaries are extremely low”.

He said Legislatures’ have not addressed the plight of civil servants and instead are lobbying to increase their allowances by 39 per cent in 2019/20.

“It means each Member of Parliament is going to get an extra Shs140 million annually, at the expense of other sectors”, he said.

Kenneth Mugambe, the ministry of Finance acting permanent secretary, said until the laws are amended, Parliament is the only current organ of Government to determine civil servants salaries and other emoluments. He said the objective of the National Budget Month is; to increase buy-in and support for Government programs, improve accountability and service delivery.

“During this Budget month, we shall engage in; tree planting, donation of scholastic materials to schools, blood donation and making of post budget speeches in various regions of the country”, he said.