The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus has convened to harmonize budget priorities for the 2025/26 financial year, aiming to prevent a recurrence of last year’s controversy over budget reallocations.
Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua stated that the meeting seeks to ensure alignment between Parliament and the executive on key spending areas. This follows President Yoweri Museveni’s refusal to sign the Appropriation Bill 2024, citing unapproved reallocations by legislators.
“We would like to move in a more coordinated manner to avoid what transpired in the current budget. The Appropriation Bill was returned to Parliament because of the reallocation that had been done,” Obua explained.
“The Party thought it wise that the budget priorities be discussed with the legislative organ to ensure alignment with the NRM Government’s agenda for the next financial year.”
In the 2024/25 budget, Parliament had reallocated UGX 750 billion to what lawmakers described as critical areas. These included procurement of ambulances, maintenance of bridges, construction of sub-county headquarters, and support for income-generating projects.
During a parliamentary session on 2 July 2024, Speaker Anita Among read President Museveni’s letter rejecting the bill. The President accused Parliament of budget indiscipline, sabotaging national priorities, and fostering corruption.
With the 2025/26 budget cycle underway, the ruling party hopes for a more structured approach to financial planning, avoiding another impasse.