MINISTER BARYOMUNSI CLARIFIES ON STATE HOUSE BUDGET
In a letter to the Speaker of Parliament dated May 23, 2023, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister for ICT and Nation Guidance, made a clarification on how the recently approved State House funds will be spent.
This follows several statements from some members of Parliament who claimed that the expenditure meant for the state house was wasteful and not justified.
According to Ssemujju Nganda, the Kira Municipality MP, State House budget should be reconsidered and some funds allocated to other priority sectors.
“I propose that Shs43.7bn allocated for official ceremonies and functions under the President’s Office be spent on repairing roads in Kampala and Wakiso,” Ssemujju said.
“The President’s electricity bill is at UGX 500 million and the water bill at UGX 500 million which is bigger than that of a big factory like Roofings. Whatever they are manufacturing at the State House, Allah knows,” Ssemujju added.
In a statement, Minister Baryomunsi claimed that State House is a fully functional government entity (Vote 1) with a structure that has received full approval from the Ministry of Public Service. Adding to that, its workforce is composed of both support staff and regular officers at various levels. This staff provides the necessary logistical and technical support for the efficient and effective operations of the Presidency.
He said that State House, in turn, provides the necessary facilitation for the staff to carry out their responsibilities effectively. This mandate informs the budgetary allocations across the various budget items.
Electricity bill
On the electricity bill of Ugx 500 million, the minister revealed that it does not only cover Entebbe State House and Nakasero State Lodge but also the Vice President’s residence; there are other 23 upcountry state lodges distributed in various parts of the country. These include Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Morulinga, Baralenge, Gulu, Arua, and Masindi. Luwero, Kyankwanzi, and Mubende Fort Portal, Kisozi Masaka, Bushenyi, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro Kapchorwa. Ngoma. Kawumu, Mayuge, and Buvuma. There are also five administrative office blocks that support State House (Okello House, Parliament Block, Lumumba, IDC Plaza, and Okello Annex). The State House budgets for the consistent supply of electricity to each of these facilities throughout the year.
Bedding, Clothing, and Footwear: 350m and not 550m as alleged on the floor of Parliament
This item covers protective gear for support staff, beddings for State Lodges, curtains, various linens for furniture and State House functions, as well as uniforms for staff as need arises. The categories of staff include; drivers, housekeepers, caterers, kitchen staff, cleaners, and regular office staff.
Agricultural supplies – 7.8b
The State House supports model villages under the Presidential initiative on poverty alleviation. There are currently 32 models.villages that are supported with agricultural inputs and training. The cost drivers for this initiative include regulartraining of farmers, organizing exposure trips for farmers,
establishing demonstration farms, provision of improved planting materials, provision of seed capital funding for farmer producer groups and SACCOs, among others.
Veterinary services – 184m
This budget covers all expenses incurred at the Presidential farms (Ngoma. Kaweweta, Baralege, and Kirasi).
This includes the procurement of small farm equipment as well as other organic farm supplies.
“Rt. Hon. Speaker, I hope this information clarifies the issues and sets a proper record for this House, and I appeal to all of us to always desist from raising sensational and unsubstantiated information that misleads the public,” said Baryomunsi.
