Fact Checking Mike Mabikkes Claim: Mpuuga Introduced Alternative Budget
On 31st March 2025, Leader Of Opposition Parliament, Hon Joel Ssenyonyi presented the alternative budget for the 2025-2026 financial year. The presentation attracted members from the Opposition and the press as alternative policies and budget allocations were shared in depth.
Today we unveiled our Alternative Budget Priorities for the Financial Year 2025/2026.
It is our considered view that the Country’s budget is always miles away from the reality of the common person. Government always says that they are unable to effectively take care of all the… pic.twitter.com/ynUNAhsPoV— Joel Ssenyonyi (@JoelSsenyonyi) March 31, 2025
Claim
During the Morning Express show on Sanyuka Television, Hon Mike Mabikke stated that credit should be given to former Leader Of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga for introducing the alternative budget.
Sanyuka Television also posted this statement on their X account and this sparked queries and conversations into how true this statement is.
Hon. Mike Mabikke: We give the first credit to Mpuuga because he introduced the alternative budget.#SanyukaMorningXpress #SanyukaUpdates #FfeBannoDdala pic.twitter.com/VPoAik9FwE
— Sanyuka TV (@sanyukatv) April 1, 2025
Reactions and comments from X users
#FactCheckWithBuule. It’s false to claim that Hon. Mathias Mpuuga introduced the idea of an alternative budget. It’s on record that as a Lop, O Latigo did an alternative budget in 2006. There was another one presented by FDC’s Oduman Okello in 2010, and @WinnieKiiza did several. https://t.co/IlfIJn9lql
— Gabriel Buule (@GabrielBuule) April 2, 2025
Fact Check
A tweet from former Leader Of Opposition, Hon Winnie Kizza dispelled this statement as false and stated that alternative budgets have existed since Rt. Hon. Prof. Ogenga Latigo’s tenure in 2006.
We’ve had alternative budgets since Rt. Hon. Prof. Ogenga Latigo’s tenure in 2006. https://t.co/fCa4JFXZS2
— Winnie Kiiza (@WinnieKiiza) April 2, 2025
In an exclusive phone interview with Hon Winnie Kizza, she provides context and background on how the Opposition leadership in Parliament since Prof Ogenga Latigo’s tenure has been providing alternative policies and budget. She further states that it’s mandated by law and all previous LOPs have been doing this since 2006 including herself.
Verdict
It is a False claim by Hon Mike Mabikke to state that Hon Mathis Mpuuga introduced the alternative budget. This has been a previous procedure done by Leaders Of Opposition since 2006.
