Parliament could do little to halt the frequent requests for supplementary budget after approving 33.3 Billion Shillings.

The Chairperson of the Budget Committee, Hon Amos Lugoloobi presented a report on the supplementary expenditure schedule No.2: addendum 2a and addendum 3 for financial year 2019/20.

Lugoloobi raised alarm to government: “The committee is concerned about the growing number and frequency of supplementary requests.”

The chairperson stated: “This worsening trend undermines the credibility of annual planning and budgeting as entities appear to be avoiding detailed scrutiny during the normal budget process in favor of supplementary budgeting whose expenditure can be allowed to take effect prior to the approval of Parliament.”

Lugolobi’s Committee recommended approval of Shs10 Billion to address payments for the road maintenance works under Kampala Capital City Authority.

The shortfall together with the heavy rain have resulted into severe damage to the City road network which needs urgent intervention to keep it motorable.

Lugoloobi told the house: “The Committee was informed that @KCCAUG was in the 2019/20 given an indicative figure of Shs30.5 billion for road maintenance but only received Shs.22.3 billion to carry on routine road maintenance in the City.”

The Committee has considered the plight of street kids picked recently by the Ministry and now housed at different permanent and temporary centres and the challenges associated with rehabilitating, feeding and resettling them as well as ensuring surveillance to limit new ones from getting into cities and other urban areas.

They, therefore recommended that Shs2.4 Billion be provided as requested to ameliorate the problem of street kids.

The House has approved a total supplementary request of Shs.33.3 Billion.