The past week has been rife with excitement. Cabinet positions were filled interestingly, and oaths taken in pomp. With little time to take it all in, the budget for the financial year 2016/2017 will be presented today afternoon at the Kampala Serena Hotel. There’s still speculation on who will present the budget. Without an officially appointed minister, the person of the president bears the duty to present the budget or even delegate his duties to another. However, more speculation will be on the contents of the budgetary address.
The total approved budget of last year 2015/2016 was UGX23,972 billion with external financing totalling UGX5,646 billion in grants and loans. The 2015/2016 budget focused mainly on the national security and defense, private sector enterprise development while healthcare came fifth with 1,270.8 billion.
Despite the hefty allocations, little has been attained, with reports indicating a handful of sectors departments posting improvements compared to previous years.
Health service Delivery
Health service delivery was reported to have improved through government interventions supported by other development partners. 2014 saw infant mortality rates reduced to 54 in 1,000 live births; below five (5) mortality reduced to 90 per 1000 live births. Child stunting fell to 33% while the contraceptive use prevalence rate posted a six per cent rise from 24 per cent to 30 per cent.
The Minister of Finance last year said that Uganda’s high population growth rate increases largely due to a high fertility rate, which results in a number of challenges for healthcare delivery. “To address these problems the government has to plan,” said Mr. Matia Kasaija.
The Agriculture sector
Agriculture remains the backbone of the country. According to farmer groups’ expectations, this year’s budget should favor them more than before given their direct participation in agricultural production. However, budget allocation usually curtails rather than benefit agricultural production. This accounts for continued price instability characteristic of the sector
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In last year’s budget, the agriculture sector was nowhere in the top five despite urgent demands for the government to focus on boosting agricultural production.
Private sector enterprise development, technology, oil, infrastructures, schools, and security are areas of keen speculation for the 2016/2017 budget. In addition, grievances over civil servants salaries remain an issue and require urgent lasting solutions. Speculations abound over the status of the education sector. As the ministry of Education and Sports welcomes a new but familiar face, what should teachers expect in the new financial year?
The teaching fraternity has been frustrated by the government’s efforts in addressing their salary situation. Should teachers expect fewer plans and more actions this time? Will they need to strike to catch the government’s attention? Will the First Lady’s appointment endear them to the powers that be?
While the public holds out for answers to these and more questions, focus should loom over issues like unemployment, population management, industrialization, tourism among others.
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