ARIAKA

Pregnant Expectations

She walked into the hall to murmurs.  With the head of state, the chief justice, the speaker, the cabinet, MPs – all the arms of state – all in attendance.  The diplomatic corps, protocol officers, journalists of all shades and opinions, all protocol observed.

She carried a black suit case – the court of arms emblazoned on one side.  She grinned broadly to the anticipating congregants.  Dressed in black and white, she is visible.  She is enviable, as this is the first time in the history of Uganda that the budget will be read by a woman.

Mabibi and Mabwana

After the national anthem is played, the speaker calls the house to order and makes a few remarks.  He now invites the star of the moment to her act.  Namirembe Syda Bumba then walks to the podium and stuns the audience.  Mabibi na Mabwana.  This is unprecedented.  She opens her budget speech in Kiswahili.

Poor Syda

Mr.  speakers Sir, I beg that the house dissolves into a committee of supply to receive the budget of FY 2009/10.  The finance minister proceeds to read her budget. A slip here and punctuation there.  She actually pulled it off well in the end.  There were moments of oohs and aaahs from the audience.   Deep into the speech, some members could not help it.  They dozed off into the afternoon siesta.  Ms Nabira, woman of Kampala was nudged by a colleague, into attention when the camera was trained in her direction.  For a others, the eyes where too heavy.  They snored away happily. What do you do with  the tropical heat and a full tummy. A recipe for a nap.

Winners

So, what is in this budget.  Roads.  It is time the ministry of defense ceded the top budgetary allocation spot to another ministry.  This time, the Ministry of Works took the apple.  The roads department carried a whooping trillion shillings.  The country has had quite a rough time with roads; unbitumenized, pot-holed,  infested, hmmmmm,  with gulleys.  Actually, some of our rural roads are seasonal rivers.  The bridges get a nod as well.

Poor Allen

No taxes.  In this daunting time, in this era of a conflagrating world economic downturn.  There will be no increases in the local tax base. Ms Allen Kagina must now plug all loop holes in the tax administration.  She must improve efficiency in the system and yet cut the cost of revenue collection to make money this financial year.  She loses in this budget.  Her work is now cut out for her.  However, she could do with a new law.  A friendly law that boost compliance.  She must move away from the comfort of the traditional large tax payers, and move into the informal sector.

Pombe for all

More pombe.  For those in agriculture, especially those farming for the breweries, it is time to make money as duty on locally produced inputs has been lowered.  So we can now happily drink Eagle lager and Senator.  What’s more for the guys who break their back in the village everyday, they can access loans at favourable terms. A seven year repayment period for loans is a winner for our farmers.  They can also benefit from a refunded and expanded NAADS.

Education for all

The minister also put big smiles on the faces of Schools and educational institutions.  VAT has been abolished for this sector.  So you could build more schools, so UPE and USE can gain ground and take root in the coming years.  So there is no reason for absenteeism in schools.  So proprietors can earn more money.  So administrators in government schools can have more money.

Green Budget

This budget (burned) Kaveera.  It also banned the importation of second hand fridges and computers.  So the carbon footprint of Uganda can improve with less emission of Persistent Organic Pollutants.  So Uganda can reduce global warming.  The people downtown are in for a difficult year.  If their livelihood depends on the trade in used electronics, then they better strike deals with the Muyindi on Luwum and Kampala roads who import brand new.

Elect NRM

It seems the framers of this budget have their eyes set to Elect Kags 2011.  The No new taxes,  Business as usual posturing is surely a welcome relief for businesses.  The focus on roads will create jobs in rural areas where the construction will be based.  The sweet music to farmers.  The more money to schools through low taxes and a consideration to civil servants in a 5% salary increment is a vote winner.  Okay, the cost of living has gone up owing to the depreciating shilling against major currencies, the rise in costs of fuel etc.  But salary increment leaves a good feeling.  We may say, the Minister is cautiously inflating the economy to stimulate it and mitigate against a decining world trade.  But putting money in the hands of peasants 12 months to an election can not be lost to an observer that Syda Bumba is preparing the grounds for the re-election of Kags.  Enough written.

Orphaned Budget

Even the best dancers must leave the stage.  Therefore, Mabibi na Mabwana she concludes, to an uproarious audience.  She had accomplished most difficult part of her pottery.  But she the budget is orphaned.  She forgets to ask the house to adopt this budget.  The spotlight can be consuming. 

The Right Honourable Intervention

The Speaker  saves her blushes.  Since she as asked along the speech, for adoption of this and that.  She is in order.