Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi has criticized the government for proposing new taxes without showing any service delivery for the taxes collected, saying it is not right for the government to put a chokehold on the citizenry like the traders protesting downtown Kampala over high taxes, yet the money ends up being stolen by thieves of the regime.
Ssenyonyi made the remarks during the presentation of the Alternative National Budget Priorities for 2024/25 at Parliament where he urged the government to listen to the cries of the traders.
“It is no wonder that the government is proposing to increase taxes on certain commodities and services, which are further going to burden the population that is already not seeing adequate service delivery for the tax money that they pay currently. We need to save this money that is stolen by the thieves, so that we don’t need to dig deeper into the pockets of the struggling citizenry. And yet they see this money they pay in taxes being stolen, and that is why the traders are saying no and that is why we want to encourage them as citizens of this country to speak out,” said Ssenyonyi.
Joel Ssenyonyi said that the opposition’s alternative budget is more than a financial plan, but rather, a document that is intended to illustrate the Opposition’s commitment to strengthen communities through effective service delivery as well as paint a picture to Ugandans of what ought to be done for the country.
“The human right based approach that we have adopted informs the foundation of our alternative budget, demonstrating our consistent commitment to defending the basic freedoms and rights of every citizen in Uganda. We hope that by adopting this approach, the budget process will become an effective instrument for social justice and equitable development. Therefore, in order to ensure that no one is left behind, it is imperative that the government allocates resources in a manner that promotes accountability and transparency,” Ssenyonyi added.
Robert Kyagulanyi, Principal of National Unity Platform warned that as much as these alternative policies might be attractive, it would be impossible to achieve them if the leaders in charge of Ugandans resources can’t rise above their petty selfishness.
“We must resist, we must reject, in fact, we must eject all forms of corruption in public administration otherwise, all this will be going to waste and our resources will continue sinking down the long drain of personal greed at the expense of our collective wellbeing and, at the lives of our people and children. As a National Unity Platform, we shall continue taking decisive action in that regard,” said Kyagulanyi.
Miria Matembe urged MPs to stand firm by their beliefs and principles, saying when she opposed removal of term limits, she was thrown out of Gov’t without pension and gratuity.
“Have you ever seen me shaken by anybody? I worked for a good 30 years for this country but when I said no, you can’t remove the term limits, I was thrown in the garbage. No pension, no gratuity. I don’t tell you to accuse those people, but I tell you how those people can rob you. I was robbed. Have you seen me lacking? But I continue to serve for a legacy that when I am long gone, and when you stand with the people of Uganda, God will stand with you,” said Matembe.
