Why State House is in need of Shs57.14 billion

State House is seeking for Shs57.14Bn to buy new security equipment, household items and vehicles for the presidency.

However, according to Jane Barekye the State House Comptroller, only Shs21.722Bn has been allocated in the 2024/25 national budget, thus leaving the Presidency grappling with a funding gap of Shs35.418Bn.

In the breakdown Barekye noted that the State House is seeking for Shs14.401Bn to continue with the process of refurbishing Entebbe State House, another Shs13.468Bn to procure new security equipment.

She added that State House is also seeking for Shs6.549Bn to procure vehicles for the President as well as another Shs. 8Bn for travel abroad.

While defending the money, Barekye explained that, “For the smooth operations of the Presidency, State House operates various equipment for security, household, press, office and transport. The operations of the Presidency require a large fleet of vehicles for both the Principals and support staff. State House also operates a Presidential jet and helicopter.”

It should be remembered that Just two quarters into the implementation of the 2023/24 financial year national budget, the government returned to Parliament with a request for UGX3.5 trillion supplementary funding.

In this supplementary  State House was seeking UGX100Bn for classified expenditure.

Amidst the financial allocation, it came to light that 100 billion shillings had already been spent by the State House on classified expenditures, shrouded in secrecy and unknown to the public.

This has raised questions about transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.