The Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen Kahinda Otafiire has made an urgent appeal to Parliament to restore Shs475.712 billion that was deducted from the Ministry’s budget for the financial year 2025/26.
Otafiire said these funds are crucial for ensuring the integrity and credibility of the 2026 elections, which are vital for maintaining political and social stability in the country.
He made the appeal while appearing before Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee, where he led the team from Uganda Police and Uganda Prisons Services to present their 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper.
“The funds are essential for ensuring credible elections in 2026, critical for political and social stability,” he said. “Free and fair elections are key to national cohesion and warned that the budget shortfall could undermine service delivery.”
A budget document presented to the committee showed that the internal affairs ministry have been allocated Shs1.490 trillion in the 2025/26 budget, pointing to a significant reduction from Shs1.966 trillion in the 2024/25 financial year.
According to him, there was a need for additional funding to maintain and expand the national CCTV network, particularly in metropolitan Kampala.
He stressed the importance of periodic maintenance to improve footage quality and camera longevity while advocating for the third phase of the CCTV project to address surveillance gaps and enhance crime deterrence.
The minister mentioned the positive impact of the CCTV network, revealing that footage had been instrumental in resolving 1,700 cases, leading to 316 convictions and 96 ongoing trials.
“The National CCTV project has facilitated the deterrence of crime and aided criminal and traffic investigations,” he said.
He argued that expanding the project beyond Kampala would further strengthen crime prevention and investigation.
Minister Otafiire emphasized the need for adequate funding for the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure Uganda’s electoral integrity and national security.
The restoration of the Shs475.712 billion budget is crucial for credible elections and maintaining key infrastructure.
