Parliament in Chaos Over Appropriation Bill 2024: Corruption Allegations and Budgetary Interference Spark Heated Debate.

Kampala, Uganda – A fierce debate has erupted in Parliament over the handling of the Appropriation Bill 2024, following President Museveni’s accusations of corruption and budgetary interference against MPs, particularly those on the Budget Committee. The President’s letter, which accompanied the returned bill, alleged that over Shs3 trillion had been reallocated by Parliament in the past four years, compromising key national projects.

MP Jonathan Odur strongly opposed referring the bill to the Budget Committee, citing the President’s grave allegations of corruption against its members. Instead, he suggested that the bill be considered by the Committee of the Whole House. Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua supported this view, proposing that the entire House deliberate on the bill.

However, Ibrahim Ssemujju, a member of the Budget Committee, protested the blanket allegations of corruption against all members. Speaker Anita Among emphasized the presumption of innocence for all MPs, including those on the Budget Committee.

Despite rebuttals, Odur stood firm on his remarks, reiterating the President’s repeated accusations of corruption. He argued that since the contested reallocations were executed by the Budget Committee and adopted by the House, the full Parliament should now decide on the bill on a case-by-case basis.

The debate highlights the ongoing tension between the Executive and Parliament, raising questions about the integrity of the budgetary process and the future of legislative-executive relations in Uganda.