Ugandan Parliament to resume on Jan 9, 2024, proposes dual Plenary sittings for extended debates. Budget focus on infrastructure, security, and socio-economic transformation.
The Ugandan Parliament is gearing up to reconvene its session on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 2:00 pm, according to an announcement by the Clerk of Parliament, Adolf Mwesige. The notice, issued on Monday, January 8, 2024, extends invitations to all Members of Parliament (MPs) for their attendance at Plenary.
This resumption comes after the adjournment of the 22nd Sitting of the 2nd Meeting of the 3rd Session of the 11th Parliament on December 13, 2023. Speaker Anita Among adjourned the House sine die during the December sitting, leaving the date open-ended. Among has proposed the idea of holding Plenary sittings both in the morning and afternoon to allow MPs more time for engaging in debates. While not entirely new, critics question its feasibility, citing potential scheduling conflicts with Cabinet ministers and some MPs.
Before the adjournment, Parliament approved loans for various road projects, and the government initiated the budget approval process for the financial year 2024/2025. Minister of State for Finance, Planning, and Economic Development (General duties), Henry Musasizi, presented the National Budget Framework Paper (BFP) amounting to sh52.7 trillion during the Plenary sitting on December 12, 2023.
Musasizi outlined priority areas for the 2024/2025 budget, emphasizing investments in people, roads, peace and security, electricity generation, and effective natural disaster management.
The sh52.7 trillion budget is anticipated to be funded through improved revenue collection, controlled borrowing to reduce debt servicing costs, and support for faster socio-economic transformation. Public financing, including Public Private Partnerships, will also play a role in implementing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
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