Shadow Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development Hon. Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira has called on the Government of Uganda to review its spending on security and defence.

Lubowa argued that more public resources should be directed towards sectors such as health, education, infrastructure and other development programmes.“As a country, we need to reduce the money injected into security and defence; we are not at war with anyone,” Lubowa said.

The Nyendo-Mukungwe legislator said security and defence remain important, but argued that their budget allocations should be reviewed in line with the country’s prevailing circumstances.

He said Uganda has several developmental projects that require financing and that government should consider how available resources can be distributed across different sectors.

Lubowa’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about Uganda’s national budget priorities and the allocation of public resources.The opposition legislator said sectors that directly affect citizens’ welfare and economic growth should receive adequate funding.

He also argued that reducing expenditure in some areas could create additional fiscal space for government to finance development programmes.

According to Lubowa, Uganda’s current circumstances do not require the continued injection of large amounts of money into security and defence.

His remarks form part of a wider debate among political leaders over how government should balance national security requirements with spending on social services and economic development.

Government has maintained that security and defence spending is important for maintaining national stability and responding to security challenges in Uganda and the wider region.

The debate therefore continues over how much should be allocated to security and defence compared with other national priorities.Lubowa’s position adds another perspective to the ongoing discussion on government expenditure, budget priorities and the financing of Uganda’s development agenda.