Judith Atim
The government should engage the United Nations and the African Union to make timely releases of funds to cater for salaries of UPDF peace keepers in Somalia.
This is one of the recommendations made by the parliamentary committee on defence and internal affairs in its report on the ministerial policy statement and budget estimates for the financial year 2015/2016.
The report details a number of recommendations on the Defence sector’s underfunded priorities, supplementary expenditure, as well as safeguarding Uganda’s regional security interests.
In addition, the report has also recommended that government engages IGAD members for the deployment of a mutual force, to reduce the costs of the UPDF operations in South Sudan.
Uganda is currently spending Shs16.25 billion to support peace keeping efforts in South Sudan.
The committee has also advised that parliament does not approve any budget for arrears including water and electricity bills, instead directing the Defence ministry to prioritize payment of arrears.
