The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has presented the alternative budget for the 2025-2026 financial year, sharply criticizing the government’s economic policies and accusing it of widespread mismanagement and corruption.
Ssenyonyi painted a bleak picture of Uganda’s economic landscape, highlighting the rising cost of living, rampant corruption, and neglect of essential public services.
“The past year has been another chapter in the government’s long history of economic mismanagement,” Ssenyonyi said, accusing the ruling party of prioritizing “personal wealth accumulation over public service.” He pointed specifically to projects such as the Lubowa Specialized Hospital, Dei BioPharma Ltd, Atiak Sugar, Roko Construction Ltd, and Inspire Coffee Factory, alleging that they were “dubious state-funded ventures” lacking accountability and serving as conduits for “siphoning public funds.”
The opposition’s alternative budget focuses on principles of equity, fiscal responsibility, and public accountability, with the goal of “realigning Uganda’s financial priorities to serve the people, not the political elite.”
Ssenyonyi highlighted the projected Shs 71.9 trillion national budget, with over 30% allocated to debt servicing.
He criticized the government’s “persistent fiscal indiscipline, excessive borrowing, and corruption,” which he argued have strained the economy.
The opposition proposed improving public debt management, eliminating unnecessary supplementary budgets, and strengthening anti-corruption measures.
The alternative budget seeks to address Uganda’s high trade deficit, lagging industrial development, and a weak cooperative sector.
Ssenyonyi called for increased support for value addition and industrialization, the removal of non-tariff barriers, more funding for SMEs and cooperatives, and improvements in regulatory frameworks.
Ssenyonyi criticized the “fragmented development and systemic inefficiencies” in the transport sector.
The opposition advocated for a holistic, multi-modal development plan, investment in capacity building, and the adoption of innovative technologies.
Addressing the housing crisis and uncontrolled urban growth, Ssenyonyi proposed innovative financing models for affordable housing, sustainable urban planning, and digital land registration.
The opposition highlighted the growing digital divide, calling for infrastructure development, improved policies, capacity building, and enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Criticizing “widespread corruption and mismanagement of funds” in the science and technology sector, Ssenyonyi proposed a National STI Law, stronger accountability measures, and greater emphasis on promoting STEM education.
The opposition urged the government to adhere to the Malabo 2014 and Kampala CAAP 2025 declarations, which call for 10% of the national budget to be allocated to agriculture. They also proposed revamping the National Seed Company and operationalizing the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2022.
In response to environmental challenges like deforestation, pollution, and climate change vulnerability, Ssenyonyi called for stronger enforcement of environmental laws, reforestation, and improved access to clean water.
The alternative budget proposed expanding rural electrification, addressing delayed compensation for Project-Affected Persons, and promoting renewable energy sources.
Ssenyonyi’s presentation emphasized the opposition’s commitment to offering a contrasting vision for Uganda’s economic future, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and prioritizing the needs of ordinary citizens.