When politics calls, costs do not count

Museveni grants federal system to Buganda, complete with a regional parliament, reports ABBEY MUTUMBA-LULE

Fears that a recent agreement granting the Kingdom of Buganda a federal system by President Yoweri Museveni will lead to escalation in the cost of public administration have been shrugged off by his administration.

Senior government officials said last week that Ugandans have to choose between instability and increased public expenditure. 

Information minister, Dr Nsaba Buturo, said the cost of maintaining regional parliaments so far being proposed for four kingdoms, of Buganda, Busoga, Toro and Bunyoro would be high in the short term but will tail off with the resultant peace dividend.

"People have to decide between stability and the cost they have to pay for it. In the beginning the cost will be high but regional governments will bring us stability and in the long run wealth," Dr Buturo said.

However, opposition politicians told The EastAfrican that President Museveni was likely to grant several concessions so that the people could support his bid for a third term in office.

"The whole thing is a circus and a way of getting another term for President Museveni. Whatever it takes to get another term for Museveni, it will be done," said legislator Nsubuga Nsambu.

Two weeks ago, the government agreed to Buganda kingdom’s regional government demands. In the new arrangement Buganda will be allowed to have it’s own parliament, popularly referred to as Lukiiko with 98 members. It will be financed by the central government. 

As a result of the regional tier system, or federalism, the Ministry of Finance has been asked to raise money to fund the regional governments, especially their parliaments. 

Critics argue that regional parliaments will duplicate the work of the national parliament and be another burden on taxpayers.

Members of the national parlia-ment at present have a consolidated take home salary of Ush5 million ($3,000) per month. 

Before Buganda won the deal from the government, the Lukiiko members have been doing voluntary work without pay from King Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s administration.

There is also a possibility that other areas will come together and demand their own regional parliaments.

"Definitely this is going to increase public expenditure and yet regional parliaments will only be duplicating work of the national parliament," said Mr Chapaa Karuhanga, chairman of the group of six major political parties.

He, however, said that what the government agreed upon with Buganda kingdom was just a proposal which will be looked at by parliament. "Parliament is going to look at what was agreed upon and then decide," said Mr Karuhanga.

But he warned Ugandans to expect more concessions from President Museveni as the 2006 elections draw near.

Contacted, Mr Lawrence Kiiza, the director of economic affairs in the Finance ministry said he could not comment on the cost as he has not yet seen the document about the regional tier system.

"I do not know what is involved and I just read about it in the papers," said Mr Kiiza. 

The cost of political governance has since 2001 been straining the budget, making it necessary to cut expenditure on political rewards.

Treasury Secretary Chris Kassami, speaking during a budget performance review workshop attended by donors and representatives of civil society two years ago, said while a democratic system required a political system which would entail costs to the budget," the financial costs are very high and there was a pressing need to examine less costly alternatives, particularly in the area of spending on political rewards."

For example in 2002, Treasury spent about $19.4 million on maintaining the country's 66 Cabinet ministers and their assistants, 35 presidential advisors, 143 resident district administrators and their assistants and 305 Members of Parliament. This is in addition to 56 local council chairmen, equivalent to district commissioners.

The Cabinet, stands at 21 min-isters today while the number of parliamentarians has risen from 284 in 1995 to 305. The House has 205 support and technical staff who are paid higher salaries than the traditional civil servants.

Public expenditure is expected to soar as the country approaches the 2006 presidential and parliamentary elections. 

Mr Nsambu says the government is likely to make more concessions to market itself. 

For example, local council chairmen, have threatened to quit the Movement in 2006 if government does not improve their salaries.

Two weeks ago, the council bosses complained about their low salaries and allowances during a workshop at Mukono, outside Kampala.

"We are taken for granted yet we are mobilisers of the Movement. We are capable of causing chaos in the country if we join the opposition," said one of the chairmen.

MPs, who are likely to break off three months ahead of the expiry of their term in June 2006, are to receive full salaries and emoluments. 

It will be very hard to reduce public expenditure as elections draw near. Top on the menu of expenditure includes a referendum on the political system to be followed after the expiry of Mr Museveni’s current term in 2006. It has been estimated to cost up to Ush30 billion.

The cost of parliamentary, district and presidential elections has not yet been established.

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