Ugandans Furious Over Sevenfold Jump in Parliamentary Speakers’ Budgets Amid Debt Pressures and Service Shortfalls

KAMPALA, Uganda – Public outrage is mounting in Uganda following revelations that the budget for the Speaker’s office has skyrocketed from Shs4.4 billion in the 2020/2021 financial year to Shs28.5 billion in the proposed 2026/2027 budget – a more than sevenfold increase.

The sharp rise, detailed in a Daily Monitor analysis, coincides with the recent election of Jacob Markson Oboth-Oboth as Speaker of the 12th Parliament on May 25, 2026. The Deputy Speaker’s office, under Thomas Tayebwa, is also allocated a matching Shs28.5 billion figure.

Context of the Increase

According to the analysis, the Speaker’s budget has grown progressively:

· Shs4.4 billion under former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga (2020/21)
· Lower figures during Jacob Oulanyah’s tenure
· Peaked at Shs28.5 billion under Anita Among
· Now maintained at the same level under the new leadership

This comes as Parliament’s overall allocation reaches approximately Shs1.059 trillion to Shs1.2 trillion within a national budget envelope of around Shs84 trillion. The funds are said to cover administrative roles, staff salaries, travel (including overseas trips), operations, donations, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Public Backlash and Questions of Priority

The timing has fueled widespread frustration on social media and in public discourse. Many Ugandans are questioning the priorities of the new parliamentary leadership, especially given the country’s mounting debt pressures, recent government announcements on cost-saving measures, and persistent shortfalls in essential public services.

Critics point to:

· Lack of funding for medical interns
· Shortages in healthcare (echoing past Ebola concerns)
· Cuts to public holidays and other services
· Unfunded requests, such as UNEB’s Shs8 billion needed for teacher training on the new syllabus

Posts on X (formerly Twitter) reflect the sentiment: comparisons to essential spending like malaria doses or borehole construction, and accusations of misplaced priorities in a nation facing economic hardship.

New Leadership’s Pledge

Speaker Jacob Markson Oboth-Oboth, who rose from humble beginnings in Tororo District, was elected with strong support and has pledged to lead a corruption-free Parliament aimed at rebuilding public trust following previous scandals.

In his inaugural remarks, he emphasized inclusivity and gratitude for his journey to the third-highest office in the land. However, the budget figures are now seen by many as an early test of these commitments.

Official Perspectives

Defenders of the budget argue that figures should be viewed in the context of economic growth, inflation, increased parliamentary activities, and the expanded role of the Speaker’s office in recent years. NTV Uganda discussions highlighted the need to assess such budgets against broader economic performance.

As the national budget process continues, the controversy highlights ongoing tensions between institutional needs and public expectations for fiscal prudence and service delivery.

This story continues to trend on X, with public debate expected to intensify as more details emerge from the parliamentary commission and budget deliberations.

Sources: Daily Monitor analysis, NTV Uganda, public discourse on X, and recent parliamentary reports.