Finance minister Matia Kasaija will today read the 2020/21 National Budget. New Vision spoke to some citizens and they gave their opinions on what they expect in today’s budget.

Patrick Mugisha, chairperson Youth Council Kitagwenda district

I expect some boosting of the youth programmes. Although we have a running youth programme, unfortunately we do not get money from the central government.

The Government should also empower the youth with more jobs under the green jobs programme.
Vocational training schools should be highly considered because most of the youth attend such schools but lack funding.

Cissy Namatovu, social worker

I expect reduction in taxes and I do not expect any increase in taxes, especially on essential commodities.

Hope Kusaasira, doctor

I would love to see funds put aside for the quality improvement in the health sector.
The Government has not invested in improving the quality of Health services in Uganda.

Only donors have been helping out but there is a limit to what donors can do.

Gideon Kisuule, businessman

I expect reduction in the excise duty of oil and gas which is too much.

This is because the Government has not taken any measure to ensure that its people are catered for in terms of low prices on oil and gas.

Rodgers Waneloba, Financial consultant

I expect the Government to address largely key sectors that are important in the economic recovery given the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

These include sufficient investment in small and medium sized enterprises and focusing on increased government spending within the economy inclusive of payment of government arrears.

I also expect the Government to borrow huge sums of money externally to finance this year’s budget with a huge deficit in the local revenue collection due to COVID-19 effects.

Phiona Namuddu, Counsellor

I expect financial assistance to the private teachers. This is because most teachers from private schools have not been paid since March.

I am already worried that my children may miss out the opportunity of being taught by the best teachers.

This is because teachers are joining other careers. Who will teach our children?

Peter Sempijja, Democratic Party administrator

I expect bailing out of some sectors of the economy that have been financially hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This should be manifested in the reduction of taxes levied on petroleum oil to ease people mobility and transportation of goods and services.

Reducing taxes levied on both print and broadcasting media outlets to enable them to continue paying their employees.

Maximising potential of the less hit sectors of the economy like agriculture, which should be interjected with industrialisation to reduce the money the country loses in importation of goods and services that can be locally manufactured.

Small scale businesses should be exempted from paying taxes for two years for such businesses to thrive so that they are able to pay their taxes later.