The 2016/2017 FY budget proceedings were Wednesday presented by the Buyanja county MP, Hon. Matia Kasaija on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni.
Hon. Kasaija presented the budget in the capacity of an MP, despite his recent re-appointment at finance minister, because he has not yet been approved by parliament, to take on the office.
Post budget reading, a number of Ugandans, especially those viewed as ordinary Ugandans especially those in rural areas appreciated an increment in agricultural and health sector funding.
In the 2016/17 budget, the Agricultural Sector's budget has been by Shs. 343.46 billion to Shs. 823.42 billion, an increase of 65% compared to the Financial Year 2015/16.
Presenting budget proceedings at Serena yesterday, Hon. Kasaija said; “Government will next financial year continue its thrust to transform the agriculture sector by facilitating mechanization, efficient access to inputs and appropriate technologies, increased storage and market access.”
He said government will specifically continue to implement Provision of improved breeding and planting materials, and pesticides, Conducting agricultural research and development, and establishing an Agriculture Insurance Scheme to reduce farm risks and attract investment in agriculture.
“The 2014 Population and Housing Census indicates that household reliance on subsistence farming has risen to 69% from 68% between 2002 and 2014. This represents a higher number of households reporting Agriculture as their main source of livelihood, even as Agriculture's contribution to the national output has declined to only 26%. In addition, commercialisation in agriculture remains low, with only about 119,000 or 2.3 per cent of the 5.2 million farming households being engaged in commercial farming.”
With this population catered for with the increased funding, ordinary Ugandans believe most of their problems.
Meanwhile, the health sector funding has also increased in the 2016/17 budget. Kasaija said access to inclusive health care services is key and in total, sector allocated shs.1.8 trillion. This is an increment from Shs. 1.270 trillion in the 2015/2016 financial year to Shs.1.854 trillion in the new financial year.
Health activists say they expect to see tremendous change with such an amount of money in the sector, especially in the department of maternal health.
This mostly is to the advantage of women in hard to reach areas who expect this money to be used in stocking their health centers with medicine, necessary equipment and enough doctors. Government built many health centers across the country, but ordinary Ugandans claim they are not being helped at all. They now hope the ministry distributes the money in accordance with the need.
On the other hand, government announced an increase in registration fees for personalized number plates from shs. 5m to shs. 20m. however, to an ordinary Ugandan, this is not a big deal as a very small percentage of Ugandans own posh cars with personalized numbers.
Parliament also approved increase in excise tax on diesel & petrol by shs.100, sweets & confectioneries by 20%. This is also not expected to have a negative effect on a local Ugandan in some village.
Government also slapped a ban on unnecessary workshops & seminars. In an effort to save, these now must be held in government facilities.
Also trips abroad by government officials have been limited. During the budget reading, Kasaija on behalf of the president called for stringent measures to enforce this.
Also increased is the excise duty on soft cup cigarettes to 50,000 Shillings per 1000 sticks and Hinge Lid cigarettes to 80,000 Shillings per 1000 sticks.
This does not affect an ordinary Ugandan whose aim is to feed their families and educate their children. Therefore, a fair budget.
The total budget approved for the year 2016/2017 is 26 trillion Shillings.