By Akampa Frank
Every shilling spent by government belongs to the people of Uganda. It is therefore reasonable and indeed necessary for taxpayers to know how public funds are allocated and spent, especially when the amount involved is as significant as UGX 56.9 billion earmarked for the forthcoming Local Council (LC1, LC2, and Women’s Council) elections.
The issue is not whether Uganda should hold these elections. Local Council leaders are the foundation of grassroots governance, playing a vital role in community leadership, dispute resolution, local security, and citizen participation. Few would argue against the need for regular, credible elections.
The question is different: How exactly will UGX 56.9 billion be spent?
Will the largest share go to polling officials’ allowances? Transport and fuel? Training? Security? Printing election materials? Communications? Administration? Or other operational costs?
Without a publicly available, detailed budget, taxpayers are left to speculate. Such speculation can undermine public confidence, even where expenditure is entirely legitimate.
Transparency benefits everyone. If the Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Finance publish a comprehensive budget showing how every major component of the UGX 56.9 billion has been costed, the public will be better placed to judge whether the allocation represents value for money. It would also allow Parliament, civil society, researchers, journalists, and citizens to distinguish between necessary election costs and areas where efficiencies might be achieved.
In democratic societies, accountability does not begin after money has been spent. It begins when government explains how public resources will be used before expenditure takes place.
Ugandans are not merely asking how much the elections will cost. They are asking a more fundamental question:
How will UGX 56.9 billion be spent, and does every shilling represent value for money?
These are legitimate questions that deserve clear, detailed, and timely answers.
