Fellow Citizens:
Now this is what happens when you have a "government" whose very existence depends on
the Army. It has to spend close to 180 Million US Dollars just to ensure that the
dictatorship maitains power. Think of what 180 Million US dollars can do to an
improvished country such as our nation. How many schools , hopitals, roads, airports,
housing can be established and or funded to improve the well fare of our people.
Matek
Defence Budget Up By Shs 60bn
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The Monitor (Kampala)
May 7, 2004
Posted to the web May 7, 2004
Mercy Nalugo
Parliament
The Ministry of Defence budget will rise by Shs 60 billion to Shs 367 billion in the
next financial year.
However, Defence minister Amama Mbabazi said yesterday that this money is not enough
to cater for the modernisation of the army.
"The ministry's requirements are many yet the resources are limited," Mr Mbabazi said
while presenting his ministry's budget estimates for the 2004/5 financial year.
"We have in fact phased out the plan for modernisation of the army and so many
activities which we would desire to have tomorrow or even today."
The Ministry of Health will take Shs 330 billion while that of Education will eat a
bigger share at Shs 559 billion in the 2004/5 budget.
Mbabazi appeared with his deputy, Ms Ruth Nankabirwa, and Permanent Secretary
Gabindadde Musoke.
President Museveni has always talked about creating a professional army that is well
trained, well equipped and above partisan politics.
Of the Shs 367 billion, Mbabazi said, the wage bill for the Uganda Peoples Defence
Forces is Shs 138 billion up from Shs 133 billion, and that of the Ministry of Defence
is Shs 430 million up by Shs 15 million over the current financial year.
The development expenditure will eat up Shs 37 billion, which is an increment of Shs
16 billion over the current year.
Classified expenditure will gobble up Shs 109 billion up from Shs 89 billion.
Mbabazi attributed the increase to the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Bill 2003, which
is now before the Defence Committee.
He said the money is needed to implement provisions of the bill, which creates more
structures and more senior offices. Mbabazi said the whole process of
professionalising the army would take 18 years.
Nankabirwa had earlier said that the cost of additional equipment and infrastructure
for the army and the ministry is estimated at Shs 4.1 trillion within three years.
"Given our level of growth, this is not feasible," Nankabirwa said.
Mbabazi also said there is no money to retire army officers.
Meanwhile, Shs 1.4 billion is for the construction of the new headquarters for the
Ministry of Defence in Mbuya in Kampala.
The ministry has been sharing offices with the UPDF in Bombo. Mbabazi said the army
would remain in Bombo.
Most MPs expressed concern over the ex-servicemen who have not yet been paid.
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But Mbabazi said the Ministry of Public Service has set aside Shs 45 billion to pay
only those who served in the army before independence and continued to serve in the
UPDF.
Cabinet had increased the Defence budget to Shs 398 billion but, Mbabazi said, the
figure was cut back after an explanation from the Finance ministry that there would be
a fall in revenue as a result of the recent signing of the East African Customs Union.
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