Advocates Warn of a Rising Trend in Budgeting for Corruption

Anti-corruption advocates from various civil society groups have sounded the alarm over what they describe as a disturbing trend of “budgeting for corruption” in Uganda’s public financial management processes.

The issue was brought to the forefront during the 2024 Anti-Corruption Convention held in Kampala, organized by the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU) in collaboration with other stakeholders.

Julius Mukunda, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), revealed that deliberate manipulations in public resource allocation are being used for personal enrichment.

Speaking at a press briefing, Mukunda described “budgeting for corruption” as the intentional mismanagement of public funds through deceptive budgeting tactics.

“Budgeting for corruption is the deliberate misuse of public resources during the budgeting process,” he said.

Mukunda highlighted examples such as inflated project costs, unnecessary budget lines, and dubious expenditures benefiting a select few instead of the public.

Mukunda expressed concern over rushed budget approvals, stating that limited scrutiny enables corrupt practices.

“When a budget is passed at the last minute, something is definitely wrong,” he warned, blaming Parliament for failing to adequately review budget proposals.

He also criticised the misuse of supplementary budgets, which are intended for unforeseen circumstances.

Mukunda disclosed that out of a Shs 3.5 trillion supplementary budget last year, Shs 2.7 trillion did not meet the criteria for approval.

He accused officials of deliberately excluding critical expenditures from the main budget to reintroduce them later under emergency provisions.

Additionally, Mukunda pointed out widespread payroll mismanagement, ghost workers, and non-productive projects.

He questioned, for instance, the allocation of Shs 2.7 billion to an irrelevant initiative, calling on authorities to justify such spending.

Marlon Agaba, the Executive Director of ACCU, echoed these concerns and emphasized the dire financial toll of corruption.

Agaba stated that corruption costs Uganda billions annually, with less than 1% of stolen resources being recovered.

He called for collective action to address the issue, noting that International Anti-Corruption Day, observed on December 9, presents an opportunity for civil society, government, and citizens to join forces against corruption.

This year’s national celebrations in Mbarara, themed “Promoting Effective Participation of the Youth in the Fight Against Corruption,” will emphasize the critical role of young people in fostering transparency and accountability.

Despite ongoing efforts, Agaba cited weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws, widespread apathy, and a culture of impunity as persistent challenges. He urged citizens to be proactive, warning that Uganda cannot afford continued resource losses.

Henry Muguzi, the Executive Director of the Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), highlighted campaign financing as a major driver of corruption.

He argued that unchecked political funding undermines democratic processes and perpetuates inequality.

“Addressing this issue is vital for building a political system that serves Uganda equitably,” Muguzi said during the convention.

The event, which brought together stakeholders from academia, media, and youth organizations, focused on actionable solutions to curb corruption.

Muguzi stressed that corruption undermines governance and development, urging participants to advocate for transparency and equitable service delivery.

“Only through collective effort can we break the cycle of impunity and ensure Uganda’s resources benefit all citizens,” he concluded.