Outrage Erupts in Ugandan Parliament Over President Museveni's Sh13m Wardrobe

May 18, Uganda - The Ugandan parliament was engulfed in uproar on Thursday as opposition lawmakers questioned the allocation of Sh12.9 million towards President Yoweri Museveni's wardrobe. Members of the Budget Committee, who authored the report, likened the president's wardrobe allowance to that of a Hollywood celebrity.

According to the report, the Ugandan Head of State is allocated a sum of Sh13.9 million, which they deemed "wasteful" as it would mean the president spending Sh36,696 per day on clothes. Opposition MPs raised concerns, questioning the necessity of spending such a significant amount on clothing for the president of a poor country.

"Our President is not a Hollywood star required to change wardrobe every day. He is the President of a poor country. Why buy him clothes worth Sh13 million every year? What happened to the clothes that we bought last year?" posed the MPs.

President Museveni, 78, is known for his grandfather style of dressing, often seen wearing big hats and suits, which may explain his preference for luxury and style. In addition to the wardrobe allocation, he is granted a sum of Sh17 billion in the budget for various expenses, which the legislature now deems "wasteful" for the leader of a third-world country.

Lawmakers also expressed concern over the funding allocated to the presidency and State House. The budget includes funds for furnishing two presidential residences, namely Nakasero State Lodge and State House in Entebbe, with an annual budget of Sh22 million for furniture.

Furthermore, the MPs questioned the inclusion of agricultural supplies and veterinary services in the presidential budget. The report highlighted allocations of Sh288 million for agriculture supplies and an additional Sh6.8 billion for veterinary services, raising suspicions about whether President Museveni had turned State House into a farm without the knowledge of the country.

The lawmakers raised concerns about potentially funding Museveni's private farms in Kisozi and Rwakitura. The Ugandan ruler has a background in cattle keeping and is known to prefer consuming organic foods. However, reports of malnutrition-related deaths in the Karamoja area of north-western Uganda have drawn attention to the need for improved food security and nutrition in the country.

In addition to the wardrobe controversy, the Budget Committee report revealed that Uganda's national debt is projected to increase by 2.5 percent in the 2023 financial year.

The heated discussions in parliament reflect growing discontent among lawmakers regarding the allocation of funds for the presidency, particularly in relation to personal expenses and non-essential services. The matter will likely continue to be debated as the government grapples with balancing the budget and addressing pressing socio-economic challenges.

Outrage Erupts in Ugandan Parliament Over President Museveni's Sh13m Wardrobe

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