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If you think your tax money is going towards the development of the country, think again. In a hilarious turn of events, Uganda has increased its budget allocation for state funerals, raising eyebrows everywhere.
Pursuant to the 1995 Constitution of Uganda as amended, the state funeral is guaranteed for only the president, vice president, speaker of parliament and deputy, chief justice and deputy, and then the prime minister. But we have seen many people accorded state burials even when they do not fall into the provisions of the constitution. This is another way the despot honors his deceased bum-lickers who had been placed in higher positions of power prior to their deaths. When they die, they are sent off with such a pomp at the expense of taxpayers.
While this increase may seem morbid, it begs the question, does it mean more government officials are going to die in Uganda pursuant to the budget allocations of the next financial year? The state normally covers everything from hospital bills, transportation, food and drinks, debts left behind by the deceased and among other things the family might spend on during the sending off of their beloved.
For the next financial year, a whopping UGX250,700,000,000 has been allocated for state funerals, which is an increase from 219,100,000,000 for the financial year that is ending. With such a significant jump in budget allocation, it’s natural to question whether the government is expecting a surge in the number of officials passing away.
While the increase in budget allocation may seem like a strange coincidence, it’s essential to look at the bigger picture. The average life expectancy in Uganda is around 63.4 years, which is lower than the global average of 72.6 years.
Moreover, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and cancer, is steadily rising in Uganda. These diseases are known to affect individuals of higher socioeconomic status, such as government officials, more heavily.
The health and lifestyle factors of government officials could also play a role in this increase. It’s not surprising that officials may be more likely to succumb to various health issues since, according to the report, the majority are battling lifestyle diseases and other chronic illnesses related to age since most are superannuated and hanging on, not wanting to retire from politics.
While it’s not a pleasant topic to discuss, political instability and assassinations have been a part of Uganda’s history. The increase in budget allocation for state funerals could be seen as a precautionary measure, given the unpredictable nature of the country’s political landscape. There is a rampant assassination of big people in government, close to power and those who are suspected of standing in the way of the Muhoozi project—the project that is steering for the inheritance of the despot’s son–Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba–as the successor of his father in the statehouse. So we should expect more sudden deaths from poisoning and direct assassinations with bullets.
The million-dollar question remains: does the increase in budget allocation signify that more government officials are going to die in Uganda? While it’s impossible to predict the future, the increase does raise some concerns. However, it could also be seen as the government’s way of preparing for any unforeseen circumstances and ensuring that its loyal officials are given the proper respect they deserve in their final moments. That is the reason the cabinet ministers and other VIP’s have a budget of $3M for getting medication abroad yet this huge amount of money can build about 10 state of the art hospitals for everyone’s benefit.
While the increase in budget allocation for state funerals may seem morbid and raise questions about the government’s expectations, it’s essential to note that the thousands of medical interns were laid off for lack of money to pay their allowances yet the public hospitals heavily depend on them for labour as doctors have fled to Europe or North America for green pastures or have joined the private sector where they are more valued than working for the government that barely cares about human resource development.
At the end of the day, the increase in budget allocation for state funerals is a complex issue that goes beyond a simple expectation of more deaths among government officials. It’s a reflection of the challenges faced by the country and the government’s commitment to honoring the service and dedication of its bum-lickers who work tirelessly to defend the excesses of the same.
