The Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, has called on Parliament to reinstate the Shs475.712 billion budget cut from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, arguing that the funds are critical for ensuring free and fair elections in 2026.
Appearing before the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee, Minister Otafiire presented the Ministry’s 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper alongside officials from Uganda Police and Uganda Prisons Services.
He emphasised that credible elections are essential for political and social stability.
“I am engaging the Ministry of Finance and colleagues in Cabinet to address this imbalance. As you know, elections are a norm for political and social cohesion. Without credible elections that satisfy the majority, whatever we are trying to save will be disturbed,” said Otafiire.
Documents presented to the Committee show that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been allocated Shs1.490 trillion for the 2025/26 financial year, down from Shs1.966 trillion in the revised 2024/25 budget a reduction of Shs475.712 billion.
Otafiire warned that this shortfall would significantly affect service delivery priorities across the Ministry.
The Minister also appealed for additional funding to maintain the national CCTV network and implement the third phase of the project to address surveillance gaps in metropolitan Kampala.
“There is a need for periodic maintenance to improve the quality of CCTV footage, longevity, and reduce downtime of the installed cameras,” Otafiire said.
He argued that expanding the project to other parts of Kampala and beyond would strengthen crime deterrence and aid investigations.
Otafiire highlighted the impact of the CCTV project, noting its role in reducing crime and supporting investigations.
He revealed that analysts had handled 1,700 cases using CCTV footage, leading to 316 convictions and 96 cases currently under trial.
“The National CCTV project has facilitated the deterrence of crime and aided criminal and traffic investigations,” he added.
Otafiire urged Parliament to prioritise the Ministry’s budget restoration to ensure Uganda’s electoral integrity and enhance security infrastructure.
The Defence and Internal Affairs Committee is expected to deliberate on the budget proposal before submitting recommendations to Parliament.
