Summary:
“In next year’s budget, we have allocated Shs198.7 billion to strengthen anti-corruption efforts through key agencies, including the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, the Inspectorate of Government, and the Office of the Auditor General. These institutions play a vital role in the fight against corruption, and we are committed to enhancing their funding,” Minister Musasizi stated.
KAMPALA: The State Minister of Finance, Henry Musasizi, has announced that the government has earmarked Shs198.7 billion to combat corruption in the 2025/26 National Budget.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament on Friday, Minister Musasizi shared resolutions from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus meeting held at State House Entebbe, where budget priorities were discussed.
“In next year’s budget, we have allocated Shs198.7 billion to strengthen anti-corruption efforts through key agencies, including the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity, the Inspectorate of Government, and the Office of the Auditor General. These institutions play a vital role in the fight against corruption, and we are committed to enhancing their funding,” Minister Musasizi stated.
He also reassured Ugandans that the government will mitigate the impact of the United States’ decision to suspend Shs600 billion in health sector funding.
However, he did not specify the exact measures being taken to bridge the financial gap.
“We have engaged the Ministry of Health, and the funding gap estimated at Shs600 billion primarily affects critical areas such as medicine and essential supplies. The government will step in to ensure that Ugandans do not suffer due to the withdrawal of U.S. support. We are finalizing budgetary provisions to cover these needs,” Minister Musasizi affirmed.
The Minister also revealed that although the verified stock of domestic arrears is to a tune of Shs2.8Trn, only Shs200Bn has been availed in next year’s budget for clearing some of these arrears and there will be an audit undertaken to establish the actual amount owed to suppliers and contractors of Government.
“We have initially provided Shs200Bn. However, we have a stock of verified areas which is in the excess of Shs2.8Trn. What we want to do and from the commitment we made in the caucus this evening was that let’s do a thorough audit so that we know how much is real for domestic areas because Accounting Officers tell us an amount, when we verify, sometimes the figure goes up, sometimes the figure goes down,” Minister Musasizi explained.
