MPs asked to prioritise as government moves to programme budgeting
Mr Henry Maurice Kibalya, the MP for Bugabula County South, Iganga District
What you need to know:
- Mr Joseph Mugisha-Bitature, the social protection and advocacy advisor at HelpAge International Uganda, said the government transition from sector based budgeting to programme based budgeting is a good approach because it would help implementers and beneficiaries track the real outcome.
- Activists say with the reform, government is shifting from output based budgeting which had no direct link between allocations and expected outputs.
Kampala. Members of Parliament (MPs) have been asked to make priorities for the country to achieve its development agenda, as government moves from sector to programme budgeting.
Civil society activists say that there is need for MPs to participate in the planning of activities and set the output rather than waiting to question after funds have been allocated.
Mr Diego Angemo, the chief social policy and advocacy officer at UNICEF, said that the move would help to improve accountability and budget clean ups.
“This is a new development and we appeal to legislators to support the formulation of better budgeting that supports targeted provision of resources to key areas of social sector budgets like early childhood development,” he said.
Mr Angemo also asked MPs to ensure that structures are put in place for sustainability of the development programmes.
He made the remarks at a meeting by the Uganda Social Protection Platform with policy makers on the budget process in Kampala over the weekend.
Bugabula County South MP, Henry Maurice Kibalya was optimistic that the transition from sector to programme budgeting would help the country implement harmonised activities for the development of the country.
The legislator was quick to add that the transition is a gradual process that calls for continued engagement between stakeholders.
Mr Richard Ssewakiryanga, the executive director of the Uganda National NGO Forum, pledged that Civil Society Organisations would help policy makers to adequately plan for activities to secure citizens.
“We have started a partnership with UNICEF to start programmes for MPs to appreciate and properly advocate for better funding for social protection issues,” he said.
Tracking outcome
Mr Joseph Mugisha-Bitature, the social protection and advocacy advisor at HelpAge International Uganda, said the government transition from sector based budgeting to programme based budgeting is a good approach because it would help implementers and beneficiaries track the real outcome.
The remarks come after a pronouncement that starting the financial year 2017/18, government plans to roll out the programme based budgeting aimed at improving budget efficiency and transparency.
Activists say with the reform, government is shifting from output based budgeting which had no direct link between allocations and expected outputs.
