Kampala – In a surprise vote on Tuesday, Uganda’s Parliament voted to remove a Shs1.7 billion service award earmarked for senior civil servants in the 2026/27 national budget. The award, first proposed by the Ministry of Public Service, had sparked public outcry and accusations of fiscal irresponsibility amid rising living costs.
Members of the opposition and several cross‑party legislators argued that the funds should be redirected to critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure. “We cannot afford to reward a privileged few while ordinary Ugandans struggle to put food on the table,” said MP Sarah Kintu of the Forum for Democratic Change.
The decision was welcomed by civil society groups and the Uganda National Teachers Union, which called for the reallocation of the money to improve teacher salaries and school facilities. The Ministry of Finance has indicated that the reclaimed funds will be placed in a contingency reserve to support emergency response initiatives.