Ugandan opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aims to reduce the cabinet to 20 ministers and decrease the number of legislators if voters elect him in 2026. The National Unity Platform leader stated on Monday that President Yoweri Museveni has allowed wasteful spending and corruption to drain resources from healthcare, education, and water services. Kyagulanyi blamed excessive debt and uncontrolled supplementary budgets for undermining fiscal discipline across government operations.
Uganda has 529 lawmakers in one of Africa's largest parliaments, relative to its population size. Members of Parliament receive new vehicle allowances every five years, regardless of whether they win re-election. The opposition manifesto calls for eliminating positions such as Resident District Commissioners and capping government car fleets to redirect funds toward social programs.
Public debt has climbed to 116 trillion shillings, consuming more than one-third of domestic revenue for interest payments. The finance ministry reports that debt levels exceed 50% of the country's gross domestic product. Kyagulanyi cited the State House's management of more than 600 vehicles, while public hospitals operate just 178 ambulances, as evidence of misplaced priorities.
More than 7.3 million Ugandans live on less than $1 a day, and youth unemployment exceeds 50 percent. The National Unity Platform promised austerity measures and transparent budgeting to restore public confidence in tax collection and administration. Kyagulanyi said salary adjustments for senior officials would reflect what the nation can afford rather than current compensation levels.
Uganda has 529 lawmakers in one of Africa's largest parliaments, relative to its population size. Members of Parliament receive new vehicle allowances every five years, regardless of whether they win re-election. The opposition manifesto calls for eliminating positions such as Resident District Commissioners and capping government car fleets to redirect funds toward social programs.
Public debt has climbed to 116 trillion shillings, consuming more than one-third of domestic revenue for interest payments. The finance ministry reports that debt levels exceed 50% of the country's gross domestic product. Kyagulanyi cited the State House's management of more than 600 vehicles, while public hospitals operate just 178 ambulances, as evidence of misplaced priorities.
More than 7.3 million Ugandans live on less than $1 a day, and youth unemployment exceeds 50 percent. The National Unity Platform promised austerity measures and transparent budgeting to restore public confidence in tax collection and administration. Kyagulanyi said salary adjustments for senior officials would reflect what the nation can afford rather than current compensation levels.
