By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Speaker Anita Among has called on Parliamentary Budget Offices (PBOs) across Africa to involve citizens in the national budgeting process to enhance transparency, accountability, and curb corruption.
The Speaker’s remarks, delivered by Parliamentary Commissioner Solomon Silwany, were made during the official opening of the 7th Annual African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices (AN-PBO) Conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Uganda.
In her speech, Speaker Among highlighted the capacity of Uganda’s Parliament Budget Office to monitor government programs and urged other African PBOs to adopt mechanisms that integrate citizens’ views, similar to Zimbabwe’s pre-budget consultations. “Citizen participation in the budget process will strengthen oversight and ensure that governments work for the people,” Silwany noted on her behalf.
The conference, held from September 15 to 21, 2024, under the theme “The Role of PBOs in African Parliaments’ Fiscal Oversight: Contributions to the African Development Agenda 2030,” aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which promotes inclusive and sustainable development.
Speaker Among emphasized the pivotal role of PBOs in providing analytical work, advising on legislation, and ensuring fiscal oversight in their respective parliaments. “Parliaments, through their Budget Offices, are critical in achieving the goals of Agenda 2063 by scrutinizing government expenditures and actions to ensure accountability,” the Speaker’s speech stated.
Among also acknowledged that Uganda’s Parliament Budget Office has been instrumental in shaping public fiscal policy and ensuring that government spending aligns with national priorities. She further stressed the importance of PBOs in fostering transparency, especially in light of emerging global challenges such as climate change and economic disruptions.
Naffissatou Njie, Head of Gambia’s Parliamentary Budget Office, echoed these sentiments, calling for continuous innovation to meet the evolving needs of African nations. She highlighted the role of PBOs in equipping legislators with insights for informed decision-making, holding governments accountable, and contributing to effective governance.
Moses Sichei, Chief Social Policy Officer at UNICEF Uganda, praised the collaboration between UNICEF and Uganda’s Parliamentary Budget Office in enhancing budget transparency, particularly in public finance work for children. He urged PBOs to increase their focus on government investments in children, describing it as “smart economics” for Africa’s future.
The conference drew participants from across Africa, including Tanzania, Somalia, Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe, among others. It also marked a continued effort by the African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices to share best practices, build capacity, and strengthen the role of PBOs in promoting fiscal responsibility on the continent.
