"If There Is Any Money in the Budget for Me and the Speaker's Clothing, Remove It" – Thomas Tayebwa

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has asked that no public money be used to buy his clothes after concerns were raised about the 2025/2026 national budget which includes large amounts for meals, bed sheets and shoes for top government officials.

Speaking in Parliament Tayebwa joked about whether the government was really expected to buy his suits and shoes, sharing that he even called his executive secretary to confirm if there was money for his personal wardrobe. He insisted that apart from the Speaker’s official gown and wig, he had never received any money for clothing.

"If there is any money in the budget for me and the Speaker’s clothing, remove it," Tayebwa said. He explained that the money being discussed actually goes to security and protocol staff to help them look presentable, but he stressed that if any funds were meant for his personal use, they should be scrapped. "At least I have enough to survive. If I fail, I will borrow from MP Anthony Akol," he joked.

Tayebwa’s remarks came after Kira Municipality MP and Shadow Finance Minister Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda raised concerns over the government’s spending. Ssemujju revealed that in the 2025/2026 budget, Shs667.797 billion had been set aside for things many find unnecessary.

Some of the key expenses he mentioned include:

- Shs298.525 billion for special meals

- Shs132.251 billion for bed sheets and shoes for top officials

- Shs237.021 billion for workshops and meetings

Ssemujju pointed out that Uganda is facing serious economic challenges, yet large sums are still being spent on such things. He also raised concerns about the country’s growing debt, which now stands at Shs109.8 trillion. The budget plans to use Shs20.726 trillion (35% of the budget) to pay off this debt.

The government is also planning to borrow Shs24 trillion to fund next year’s budget. Ssemujju strongly opposed this, saying that taking on more debt would only make Uganda’s financial situation worse. He urged Parliament to reject the budget proposal.

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