Lucy Nakyobe, the State House comptroller, told MPs on Monday that the planned cuts to the State House budget will cripple some of the institution’s operations and hamper the president’s activities.
Nakyobe voiced her discomfort during her appearance before the Presidential Affairs committee, which had just received State House’s proposed budget allocation for 2017/2018 for consideration.
According to the estimates, State House has been allocated Shs 242.7 billion next financial year, which is Shs 14.3 billion less than the Shs 257 billion last year 2016/2017.
Key among areas grappling with gross budget cuts, Nakyobe said is maintenance of the presidential jet and helicopter. While State House’s desired amount for maintenance stands at Shs 10.8 billion, the indicative allocation for 2017/2018 stands at Shs 4.6 billion.
“State House operates a jet and helicopter for presidential movements. These require insurance, maintenance and training of the crew, all of which are mandatory in nature. This requires an extra Shs 6.2 billion,” Nakyobe told the MPs.
For travels of the president abroad to promote regional integration, security, diplomatic relations plus trade and investment opportunities, State House may have to make do with Shs 20.5 billion, a little less than the projected Shs 26.2 billion.
The budget for presidential donations has been put at Shs 84.3 billion even though State House had asked for Shs 150 billion.
“The outstanding unfulfilled donation is an embarrassment to the president, who is the fountain of honour. In addition, there is an ever-increasing demand for assistance from the president from individuals as well as institutions soliciting for support,” Nakyobe stated in her presentation.
In the same vein, next financial year, State House will not be given money for refurbishment, Shs 7 billion, which they have been asking for the last two financial years.
State House Entebbe was last refurbished in 2007, when Uganda hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm). The funds are meant to, among other issues; cater for purchase of new furniture, including tables, sofa sets, carpets and tiling in the conference halls and offices.
Besides housing the first family, State House also accommodates the offices of other bureaucrats, and security and presidential advisors. With the ministry of finance effecting budget cuts across the board, State House’s budget for procurement of vehicles was slashed from Shs 6.3 billion to Shs 3.1 billion.
Colonel Fred Mwesigye (Nyabushozi), the committee chairman, warned against the budget cuts for the maintenance of the presidential jet and chopper. He said the security of the president is at stake if funds to maintain his transport are not given and directed the officials to pool for funds internally.
“I am concerned because these are machines that the president uses quite often. Maybe you can reallocate [some money] internally to attend to this item. Otherwise, you cannot put the head of state at risk. We shall not accept this as a committee,” Mwesigye stated.
Among the priorities that State House has outlined in the 2017/2018 financial year is to engage in more community outreach programmes and welfare activities through attendance of community functions, supporting the needy and payment of school fees for needy students.
However, Jessica Ababiku (Adjumani Woman) used the meeting to voice concern over what she termed as limited access by some districts to the president.
“Other districts are more needy than others because they are unable to access the president. I suggest that the president gives slots to the districts when he can meet leaders,” Ababiku said.
eyotaru@gmail.com