The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, has said that, as opposition, their vision is to renew Uganda, which puts the interests of its citizens at the forefront of public policy.

Ssenyonyi was addressing opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday, April 8, 2024, who attended the presentation of alternative budget priorities for the financial year 2024/2025, at Parliament under the theme “Combating Corruption and Promoting Efficient Service Delivery.”

He said that the opposition parties’ theme that guided their meeting was aimed at renewing the country, whose resources need to be exploited for the benefit of citizens, not a few individuals.

“The theme for today is our reflection of our vision to renew Uganda. Uganda, whose resources are exploited for the benefit of its citizens and not for the benefit of a select few individuals—a Uganda that protects dignity and rights for every citizen—puts the interests of its citizens at the forefront of public policy,” Ssenyonyi said.

The LOP said that it was an honor for him to share his thoughts with the opposition leaders as they launched the alternative budget policies for the financial year. The alternative budget priority was presented to recognize the plight of the ordinary Ugandan from whom the leaders derive their mandate and also paint a clear picture of what the opposition intends to do in order to make Uganda a country that works for every citizen.

He added that Ugandans deserve better health care, education, and infrastructure in order to live their full potential and beneficial lives.

“Because education is essential for producing skilled workers—a workforce that will transform communities—it is therefore important for our children to study the subjects and courses that are relevant to their passion and natural abilities. We cannot achieve this without changing our entire education system and re-aligning our educational institutions. Considering that 75% of Uganda’s disease burden is preventable, we must make it our priority to invest in disease prevention rather than disease cure,” Ssenyonyi added.

He said that, however attractive all the alternative policies might be, it is impossible to achieve them if the leaders in charge of the national resources cannot rise above their petty selfishness. He, therefore, called upon the MPs to eject all forms of corruption in public administration.

“There is no way this country’s resource envelope will benefit the citizenry for as long as a huge portion of this money is lost to thieves at different levels of government,” Ssenyonyi said.

The Leader of National Unity (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, who officiated the function, was received by the LOP and the opposition Chief Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe.

The presentation was attended by several opposition MPs, including Ssemujju Nganda, Betty Nambooze, Semakula Luttamaguzi, Betty Ethel Naluyima, Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa, Hillary Kiyaga, and Hellen Nakimuli, among others.