Democracy Is Undermined If Opposition Offers No Credible Alternatives – Bireete

The executive director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, emphasised the crucial role the Opposition plays in holding the government accountable and ensuring that national policies, particularly the budget, serve the best interests of all Ugandans.

Governance expert Sarah Bireete has warned that democracy is severely undermined when the opposition fails to offer credible alternatives to the governing party.

Ms Bireete, the executive director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, emphasised the crucial role the Opposition plays in holding the government accountable and ensuring that national policies, particularly the budget, serve the best interests of all Ugandans.

Her comments come as the Shadow Cabinet, led by the Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, convenes to formulate alternative policy statements for the Financial Year 2025/26.

This process is central to the Opposition's responsibility of scrutinizing government allocations, proposing alternatives, engaging in parliamentary debates, and representing the interests of citizens.

According to Ms Bireete, an effective opposition is not only crucial for strengthening democracy but also for promoting good governance and ensuring transparency throughout the budgeting process.

The lawyer and human rights defender said while the opposition’s role involves holding the government to account, it must also present well-thought-out alternatives to demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving the country’s governance.

Dr. Bireete highlighted six key areas the Opposition should focus on to make a meaningful impact in the upcoming financial year.

One of the top priorities is fighting corruption, which she described as a major hindrance to Uganda's development. She called on the opposition to propose stronger anti-corruption measures that would address the widespread mismanagement of public resources.

Another area of concern is the funding of critical sectors like health and education. Dr. Bireete pointed out that recent USAID funding freezes have left these sectors financially vulnerable.

She urged the opposition to push for increased domestic funding to ensure that these essential services remain accessible to all Ugandans.

Dr. Bireete also stressed the need to control Uganda’s rising public debt, which she warned could jeopardize the country’s economic stability.

She advised the opposition to propose stricter controls on borrowing to ensure sustainable debt management practices that will not burden future generations.

The issue of unchecked government bailouts also emerged as a priority for Dr. Bireete, who argued that the opposition should push for comprehensive audits of all previous bailouts before any new ones are approved.

She called for clear public criteria on how the private sector can access taxpayer funds, ensuring that these resources are used transparently and responsibly.

In addition, Ms Bireete urged the opposition to oppose budget distortions through Supplementary Budgets, which she described as a form of institutionalized corruption.

She argued that such budgets should only be approved for genuinely unforeseeable and unavoidable expenses, as opposed to being used to cover up inefficiencies in the government’s spending.

Ms Bireete cautioned the opposition against last-minute budget changes, such as the corrigenda presented on the final day of last year’s budget process.

She recommended that the opposition either attempt a government shutdown or stage a walkout when such irregularities arise, as a way to protest and draw attention to the misuse of public funds.

Experts agree that by championing these priorities, the opposition could offer Ugandans a credible alternative to government policies.

Proposals focusing on enhanced service delivery, improved financial accountability, and transparent allocation of national resources would help foster greater public trust and ensure that government actions align with the needs of citizens.

As the budget process moves forward, the coming months will test the Opposition’s ability to influence policy, hold the government accountable, and advocate for a budget that genuinely serves the people of Uganda.