Budget Oversight Can Help MPs Win Voter Trust - Finance Minister

The Minister of Finance, Henry Musasizi, has asked Members of Parliament to monitor how the national budget is used in their constituencies.

He said MPs must ensure public funds improve services for the people.

Musasizi made the remarks during an induction for MPs at Speke Resort Munyonyo.

He said Parliament’s work does not end with passing the national budget. He said MPs must follow up funds sent to local governments.

“Budget approval is the beginning, not the end. Track whether funds reach the people they were intended for,” he said.

Musasizi said MPs should ask district officials for updates on government projects. He urged them to visit schools, health centres and other projects funded by the government.

“Most of the money goes to your districts, it goes to your sub-counties. It is important that you ask the Chief Administrative Officer in writing; ask him or her the progress of certain projects, ask If you can together visit those projects, if for example schools have teachers and if they are teaching,” Musasizi said.

The minister, who said he has served as an MP for 15 years, told legislators that such follow-up helps them stay close to voters.

He said MPs should also monitor the Parish Development Model and ask beneficiaries whether they receive money on time and how they use it.

“These things are important to bring you back to Parliament. If you want to be a good Member, sample some parishes under Parish Development Model, meet them, ask them whether they are receiving money in time and what they are using it for,” Musasizi said.

Musasizi also said the government plans to tighten control over supplementary spending.

He said such spending should only cover unforeseen and unavoidable needs, as required under the Public Finance Management Act.

The National Planning Authority chairperson, Pamela Mbabazi, also addressed the MPs on the National Development Plan IV.

She urged MPs to support laws that advance Uganda Vision 2040. The plan seeks to grow Uganda’s economy to $500 billion by 2040.

“Parliament is supposed to play critical roles to achieve this vision, including legislation, appropriation, oversight of all Government programmes in line with the grand strategy, debating in line with the Vision,” Mbabazi said.