To free up money for other high-priority ministry sectors, President Museveni has outright banned travel overseas by legislators and government employees.
He criticized the Finance Ministry officials for not prioritizing the most vital industries, like oil and gas, which will bring in billions of dollars for the economy in Uganda. He has requested them to outlaw both internal and international travel allowances.
“Some of them just want money to travel abroad. Tell the civil servants, the MPs and all politicians to stop travelling abroad. Money is wasted on external travel and here Kigumba is crying for money. This is really poor planning,” President Museveni said.
According to Mr. Museveni, he has learned that oil corporations plan to invest $15 billion (Shs54.7 trillion) in Uganda even before the oil begins to flow, with 40% of the money staying in Uganda.
So how can you say that you lack Shs8b per year, which I think is $2m, in order to earn $7b from the oil sector. It is not lack of money, but lack of planning by the Ministry of Planning, foresight and wisdom and all that. How can you fail to plan to save money in order to get more money in a very short time?” he said.
“Allowance inside Uganda, we can freeze all those and do this as we have done previously.” Museveni wonders.
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