In a spirited inquiry, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, chairperson of the Buganda Parliamentary Caucus and Member of Parliament for Butambala County, has called on the government to provide clear answers regarding its obligations totaling Shs 500 billion owed to the Buganda Kingdom.
Kivumbi voiced his concerns during a meeting between the Parliamentary Budget Committee and State Minister of Finance Henry Musasizi, where the discussion focused on government arrears.
He accused the government of excessive delays in settling rent payments and compensating the Kingdom for land occupied by critical government security installations.
In his response, Minister Musasizi confirmed the existence of the debt and noted that the government plans to make a partial payment once the verification process of the obligations is completed.
He added that a strategic plan has been put in place to clear all outstanding arrears within a three-year timeframe.
For the upcoming 2025/26 financial year, a substantial allocation of Shs1.4 trillion has been designated for arrears, a significant increase from this financial year’s allocation of Shs200 billion, amidst verified total arrears of Shs3.5 trillion.
Minister Musasizi also reassured the committee that new measures are being implemented to prevent accounting officers from incurring further arrears in the future.
By Francis Lubega
29th April 2025
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