Parliament has tasked the Minister of Finance to explain the budget cuts to different government entities that were effected in the first quarter release for the current financial year.
During the plenary yesterday, a matter of national importance was raised by James Kaberuka, the Kinkizi West MP who questioned the budget cuts by the Ministry of Finance contrary to appropriation made by parliament.
In the release of funds for the first quarter, several government entities received less money than they were supposed to, whereas the Ministry of Finance released 10.25 trillion Shillings for the first quarter against the expected 14.57 trillion.
Wilfred Niwagaba, the Shadow Attorney General emphasized that the power to appropriate is by Parliament and that once the House has passed the Appropriation Act and the President assents to it, it becomes law therefore anybody to revisit the law in any way, he or she must go back to parliament in form of an amendment Bill.
Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the Kira Municipality MP argued that parliament passed the budget against several sources of funding presented by the Minister of Finance and it is indiscipline for the Ministry not to return to parliament in case of any changes.
Musasizi agreed with parliament’s appropriation power but told MPs that they release funds in accordance with the cash flow.
Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament reminded Musasizi to respect the institution of parliament and the Constitutional requirements regarding the appropriation of funds.
