State House has requested an allocation of Shs 83.03 billion to cover pending presidential donations in the 2025/26 financial year. However, only Shs 53.03 billion has been approved, leaving a funding gap of Shs 30 billion. The request was presented by Alex Byarugaba, chairperson of the Presidential Affairs Committee, to the Budget Committee of Parliament.

The appeal comes amid a declining national budget, projected at Shs 57.441 trillion for the 2025/26 fiscal year, down from Shs 72.137 trillion in the current year. The reduction raises concerns about prioritizing spending amidst economic constraints.

A recent auditor general’s report highlighted discrepancies in State House spending. In the 2023/24 fiscal year, the approved donation budget stood at Shs 18.17 billion, but actual spending skyrocketed to Shs 80.18 billion. Other expenditures included Shs 1.167 billion on travel, Shs 3.8 billion on salaries, and Shs 3.397 billion on allowances.

Jane Barekye, the State House comptroller, acknowledged the overwhelming demand for presidential donations. She noted that ministers frequently advocate for funding in their constituencies, making it difficult to predict donation allocations.

“This is a growing issue that needs collective action. We prioritize based on urgency and available resources,” Barekye said, emphasizing the need for clearer budgeting guidelines.

Busiro East MP Medard Sseggona criticized the reliance on presidential donations, arguing that it reflects weak institutions and a dependency culture. He called for stronger government structures to address citizens’ needs through formal channels rather than relying on individual leaders’ generosity.

“The cycle of begging must stop if we are to streamline institutional functionality,” Sseggona stated, adding that such spending spikes during election years when MPs face pressure to fulfill promises.

In a related budgetary concern, the Ministry of Gender is seeking Shs 12.24 billion to support traditional and cultural leaders. Currently, only Shs 1.02 billion has been allocated, covering monthly salaries of Shs 5 million per leader far below the approved Shs 60 million.

Workers MP Agnes Kunihira warned that reducing cultural leaders’ salaries could undermine the government’s commitment to these institutions. In 2024, Parliament had approved Shs 31.33 billion for their salaries and palace construction projects.

As Uganda faces a tighter fiscal space, the debate over presidential donations and cultural leader funding highlights the struggle to balance financial discipline with political and social obligations. The government is under pressure to address these concerns transparently while ensuring resources are allocated effectively.