As President Museveni is set for the state of the nation address today, some Ugandans have expressed concern over the escalating prices of basic commodities.
according to Presidential Press Unit (PPU), President Museveni will today at 2pm East African time address the nation on the national budget passed by the Uganda 11th Parliament. The address shall be at Kololo ceremonial grounds in fulfillment of his constitutional requirement in Article 101(1) of the constitution of the republic of Uganda
According to Emmanuel Mbalasa Lutaaya, the Luuka district National Unity Platform (NUP) chairperson, the Uganda budget doesn’t cater for Ugandans but instead favors a few people who focus on enriching themselves.
“The budget of the President himself is overwhelming, you can’t wear shirts of one million a day in a country like Uganda. People are sleeping hungry because of poverty and others are exchanging brand new vehicles every day,” says Mbalasa.
“Let him cut off and minimize the budget for security and classified budget. You can’t defend a poor country with poor citizens,” Mblasa added by advising the president to reduce on the taxes levied on electricity to enable the ‘lay man’ also enjoy the power. He asks the president to put emphasis on the health sector given the fact that a healthy person is a rich person.
James Mutyabule, a Jinja city resident is worried of where Uganda shall get the money following the cut off aid threats from the western donors. He asks the president to come up with an alternative of getting resources to ensure the passed budget is successful.
“Am worried if International Monitory Fund (IMF) and World bank and the United States of America implement their threats, what are we going to do. The president should tell us the alternative because Uganda must go forward,” says Mutyabule.
“Are we going to focus on our oil, manufacturing electric vehicles, or stop Parish Development Model (PDM)? We thank him for signing the Anti Homosexuality bill but let him talk about the alternative,” he questions.
Kenneth Mawerere Tajiri a resident of Buwenge in Jinja district, decries the hiking prices of commodities like soap, sugar, electricity bills among others, saying if the president clarifies on such, his (Museveni) address will be of importance.
“He shouldn’t forget to at least give us more light on the death of our UPDF soldiers who were attacked and killed by the Al-Shabab in Somalia. But most importantly prices of commodities,” Mawerere said.
