LOP Ssenyonyi wants sh16.8 trillion ‘classified expenditure’ probed

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Leader of the Opposition (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, has called for a thorough investigation into classified government expenditure, warning that the lack of scrutiny has allowed wastage of taxpayers’ money to go unchecked.

The Nakawa West MP raised the issue during a press conference at Parliament on Tuesday, 15 April 2025.

“In the last five financial years, classified expenditure has amounted to sh16.8 trillion. That means every year, sh3.3 trillion is spent on classified expenditure. But how? I saw General Museveni trying to justify it. Yes, every country can have classified [spending], but it should be one commensurate to your resource envelope,” Ssenyonyi said.

Opposition Members of Parliament attending a press conference at Parliament. (Photo by Maria Wamala)

“It should also be justifiable because if you are spending sh3.3 trillion every year, this is money that is not to be accounted for. No wonder it is being used to bribe MPs. What war are we fighting? Even for South Sudan where we are, they came to Parliament for a separate budget line. In Somalia, Congo, where we are, there is a separate budget for all those things,” he added.

Opposition list

Last week, Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who is also the National Unity Platform’s vice chairperson for the Buganda region, alleged that some MPs had quietly received sh100 million each.

According to Kivumbi, the payments were in appreciation of MPs’ support in dissolving the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and to facilitate the passing of the controversial UPDF Amendment Bill, which seeks to streamline the operations of the General Court Martial following a recent Supreme Court ruling.

Kivumbi subsequently commissioned a list for all opposition MPs who either rejected or did not receive the alleged cash. By Tuesday morning, the list had grown to 72 names.

However, doubts remain over its credibility, with concerns that some MPs who signed it may have quietly taken the money and are now attempting to preserve their public image.

A credible source told this publication on Friday last week that, at the time, five opposition MPs had been confirmed not to have received the funds.

“I’m still verifying, but I can tell you that Joel Ssenyonyi, Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality), Betty Nambooze, Derrick Nyeko (Makindye East), and Muwanga Kivumbi (Butambala) have not received any money. Although there is always a chance one or two may have sent their errand boys to pick it up on their behalf,” the source said.

President Museveni’s response

The speculation triggered a response from President Yoweri Museveni. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he criticised the opposition, accusing them of hypocrisy and benefiting from illicit foreign political financing. He vowed to expose them.

“Dear Sirs and Madams, have you ever heard of foreign funds being sent into Uganda to influence our politics in favour of the foreigners? Secondly, the next question is: If you are the anti-corruption warrior you claim to be, why have you never talked about these foreign funds?” Museveni wrote.

On the matter of classified funds, he said they are used to acquire sensitive military equipment and to thwart enemy operations against the country.

“Has this helped to keep the peace? Absolutely. Is that not the reason why Uganda is an island of peace in this area? How many traitor groups and schemes have we defeated? Our people can list them for you,” the President said.