State House Seeks Shs10 Billion to Replace Aging Fleet Amid Budget Challenges
The Office of the President is seeking an additional Shs10 billion to replace an aging fleet of vehicles to address critical transport challenges as Uganda gears up for the 2025/2026 General Elections. The request was presented by Immaculate Namara, Assistant Commissioner in the Office of the President, during a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Presidential Affairs on January 13, 2025.
Namara outlined the dire need for increased funding to ensure the efficiency of State House operations, citing frequent breakdowns and escalating maintenance costs of the current fleet.
“The vehicles we rely on are outdated and unreliable. With the election season ahead, dependable transport is crucial to ensure State House activities are effectively executed,” she said.
The budget shortfall is stark: only Shs4 billion has been allocated for transport equipment, leaving a gap of Shs6 billion. Namara warned that without adequate funding, the President and Vice President’s ability to carry out critical mobilisation activities could be severely hindered.
The State House budget proposal for the 2025/2026 financial year totals Shs399 billion, a reflection of growing operational demands. New presidential units such as the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, State House Revenue Intelligence, and the Strategic Operations Unit have contributed to increased financial strain.
These units alone require an additional Shs3 billion for salaries and gratuities.Comptroller Jane Barekye highlighted that the strain on resources has been compounded by supplementary budgets that remain unresolved.
“This supplementary budget requirement, amounting to Shs4.626 billion, is not reflected in the indicative budget but still needs to be addressed,” Barekye noted.
In addition to transport and operational challenges, Namara emphasized the importance of clearing longstanding presidential pledges.
“We have pledges dating back to 2013 and 2014 that remain unfulfilled. Addressing these backlogs would enhance public trust and improve service delivery,” she said.
Members of the committee expressed mixed reactions to the budget request. Iki Iki County MP, Hon. Robert Kasolo, questioned the effectiveness of the numerous State House units, particularly in combating corruption.
“Despite all this funding we are putting into our budgets to fight corruption in Uganda, are we really making progress, or should we declare that we are defeated?” he asked.
Others echoed concerns about the sustainability of the increasing budget. With State House units expanding annually, some members called for a comprehensive review of their impact and cost-effectiveness.
Numbers at a Glance
- Total State House Budget for 2025/2026: Shs399 billion
- Requested Additional Funding for Fleet Replacement: Shs6 billion (out of a total Shs10 billion need)
- Supplementary Budget Requirement (Unresolved): Shs4.626 billion
- Additional Salary and Gratuity Needs for New Units: Shs3 billion
As Uganda heads into an election year, efficient transport and operational readiness are critical. However, the rising costs and unmet financial obligations have fueled debates about government priorities and the proper use of taxpayers’ money.Observers note that while modernising the fleet and fulfilling presidential pledges are essential, the government must address the broader issue of resource management. The question on many Ugandans’ minds remains: Will these investments yield tangible results, or will they exacerbate existing inefficiencies?For now, the fate of the requested Shs10 billion lies with Parliament, as the nation watches closely to see how these funds will be allocated and whether they will truly deliver the intended impact.
story credit https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/3505/presidency-seeks-replace-old-vehicles
