Uganda's Parliament Passes New Budget with Focus on Infrastructure

Uganda's Parliament has passed a new budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with a significant focus on infrastructure development across the country. The budget, totaling approximately UGX 52 trillion, allocates nearly 25% of funds to infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, and energy.

Key Infrastructure Projects

The budget highlights several key infrastructure projects:

• The Kampala-Jinja Expressway
• Expansion of rural electrification programs
• Upgrading regional airports
• Water and sanitation projects in urban centers

According to Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, "This budget reflects our commitment to developing Uganda's infrastructure as a foundation for economic growth and improved quality of life for all Ugandans."

Opposition lawmakers have expressed concerns about the level of debt financing in the budget, warning that Uganda's debt-to-GDP ratio is approaching unsustainable levels. However, the government maintains that infrastructure investments will stimulate economic growth and create jobs.

The budget also includes allocations for education, healthcare, and agriculture, though critics note these sectors received proportionally less funding compared to previous years.

Implementation of the new budget will begin in July, with the first infrastructure projects expected to break ground by September.