Parliament has requested an additional Shs 263.937 billion in the 2026/27 National Budget to fund the purchase of vehicles for lawmakers, medical insurance for their families, and ongoing office retooling and construction projects.
The request was presented by Remigio Achia, Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Budget Committee, who explained that reliable vehicles are essential for MPs to perform their legislative, oversight, and representative duties effectively.
“Members of Parliament are required to travel extensively across constituencies and the country to engage constituents, monitor government programs, and participate in parliamentary activities,” Achia said. “Provision of reliable and standardized vehicles will enhance mobility, improve service delivery, and reduce operational inefficiencies. An additional Shs 166.8 billion is requested to facilitate the purchase of vehicles for the Members.”
During the same plenary sitting, MPs also approved a request for increased medical insurance coverage for lawmakers and their dependents, citing rising healthcare costs, inflation, and higher utilization of specialized and overseas medical services.
“These increases have outpaced the originally approved budget allocations, creating a funding gap that risks undermining the adequacy and sustainability of health care coverage for MPs and their dependents,” Achia explained. “We request an additional Shs 5.636 billion to cater for the increased medical insurance premium.”
Parliament further requested Shs 91.5 billion to address shortfalls in ongoing retooling projects, including works on the New Chamber and the planned architectural design of an office block along Parliament Avenue, following the acquisition of land previously occupied by the Ministry of Lands and Uganda Prisons Services headquarters.
The additional budget proposal aims to equip MPs and upgrade infrastructure to meet the demands of the 12th Parliament, reflecting costs associated with expanded duties and modernizing parliamentary facilities.
