National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, has dismissed claims of internal conflicts within the party, stating that the perceived discord is actually part of the broader fight against corruption and criminality. Kyagulanyi made these remarks during the unveiling of the Opposition’s alternative budget on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Despite reports of bickering among NUP members over various issues in recent months, particularly concerning the allocation of a 500 million Ugandan shillings Parliament reward to Nyendo Mukungwe Member of Parliament Mathias Mpuuga for his role as the Leader of the Opposition, Kyagulanyi emphasized that the party remains unified in its core objectives.
While Kyagulanyi welcomed the Opposition’s efforts to propose an alternative budget, he stressed that these initiatives would be ineffective without addressing the pervasive issue of corruption. He underscored the importance of combating corruption as a fundamental step towards achieving meaningful change and progress in Uganda.
Additionally, Kyagulanyi reiterated NUP’s stance on negotiations with the government regarding the release of party supporters who have been detained. He asserted that the party would not engage in such negotiations, as they believe their supporters are innocent and should not be subject to compromise or bargaining.
In a related development Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has called upon Members of Parliament (MPs) to actively confront and combat corruption in Uganda. This plea was made during the unveiling of the Opposition’s alternative budget for the financial year 2024/2025, which amounts to 43 trillion Ugandan shillings.
Ssenyonyi emphasized that addressing corruption is crucial for enhancing service delivery to Ugandan citizens. He highlighted the detrimental impact of corruption on the efficient utilization of resources, noting that combating corruption would enable these resources to be redirected towards providing essential services to the population.
According to the Inspectorate of Government, an independent institution tasked with eliminating corruption and abuse of authority, corruption remains a significant challenge in Uganda. The total cost of corruption in the country is estimated to be 9.144 trillion Ugandan shillings per year, equivalent to 44% of total government revenue in 2019.
The alternative budget proposed by the Opposition reflects their commitment to strengthening communities and offering viable alternatives to address the country’s challenges. Ssenyonyi emphasized that the Opposition’s intention is not merely to oppose the government but to provide constructive alternatives to areas where current policies and practices are lacking.
Furthermore, Ssenyonyi outlined key areas that the Opposition urges the government to prioritize, including education, health, and infrastructure development. These sectors, according to Ssenyonyi, are essential for the overall development and progress of the country, and their improvement would significantly benefit Ugandan citizens.
