By Rogers Wanambwa

KIU, Main Campus - Parliament, yesterday, approved a supplementary budget of UGX292 billion. The approved finances include UGX18.5 billion for COVID-19 vaccines as an advance payment for the 18 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine for 9 million vulnerable Ugandans.

Additionally, UGX31 billion will purchase more face masks by the Ministry of Health, UGX28 billion will acquire ambulances, and UGX43 billion was allocated to the Electoral Commission to clear arrears for the biometric voter verification machines used in the recently concluded general election.

Besides, on Tuesday, Parliament postponed its clearance of the funds following a disagreement by MPs in regards to a UGX12.1 billion request under the Uganda Land Commission (ULC) to settle outstanding companyation for 6 beneficiaries.

Other beneficiaries on the list constitute Kasiya Rwabukurukuru with land at Kiyunga, Sheema (UGX6.43 billion), Stephen Peter Nagenda of Kibale, Rwanswa (UGX1.06 billion) and Julius Busuulwa of Buyaga in Kibaale (UGX1.4 billion). 

In addition, Natalia Namuli (UGX1.6 billion), Yisaka Lwakana (UGX125.3 million) and Mugisha Geoffrey (UGX1.49 billion), all with land at Buyaga, Kibaale are to be compensated too.

That said, this approval of the UGX292 billion supplementary budget for the financial year 2020/2021 arrives after earlier supplementary approvals by Parliament worth UGX4.224 trillion mainly towards the COVID-19 pandemic response last year.