By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa Umoja Standard.
PARLIAMENT: Hon. Amos Kankunda, Member of Parliament for Rwampara County, has been appointed Chairperson of the Parliamentary Budget Committee in the 12th Parliament. The appointment places the veteran legislator and Secretary General of the Uganda Shippers Council at the helm of one of Parliament’s most influential committees, with direct oversight over the national budget process, fiscal policy scrutiny, and resource allocation across government.
Kankunda’s elevation comes at a critical time as Parliament prepares to scrutinize the next financial year’s budget estimates. The Budget Committee is mandated to examine government spending plans, ensure alignment with national development priorities, and hold Ministries, Departments and Agencies accountable for public funds. As Chairperson, Kankunda will lead committee engagements with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, sector committees, and civil society to shape a budget that responds to Uganda’s pressing development needs.
Speaking after the designation, Kankunda expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by Parliament’s leadership and colleagues. “I am deeply honored to have been designated as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Budget Committee. I extend my sincere gratitude to the leadership of Parliament and my colleagues for the confidence placed in me. I accept this responsibility with humility and commitment,” he said. He emphasized that the role would be guided by principles of openness and national interest, noting that effective budgeting remains central to improving service delivery for Ugandans.
The new Chairperson pledged a collaborative approach to his mandate. “I will work collaboratively with all stakeholders to promote transparency, accountability, fiscal discipline and evidence-based budgeting that advances our nation’s development priorities and improves the lives of our people,” Kankunda stated. He added that the committee under his leadership would prioritize timely scrutiny of budget documents, strengthen engagement with sector committees, and ensure that public resources are directed to high-impact areas such as health, education, infrastructure, and job creation.
“Together, we will strive to ensure a better Parliament,” he said, signaling intent to enhance the committee’s role in policy oversight beyond the traditional budget cycle. Analysts note that Kankunda brings extensive experience in trade, logistics, and public policy from his tenure at the Uganda Shippers Council, a background expected to inform his approach to resource efficiency and value for money in public expenditure. Colleagues in the House describe him as a disciplined cadre with a reputation for thorough engagement on economic matters, qualities seen as vital for steering the Budget Committee through complex fiscal debates.
The appointment is also expected to strengthen coordination between Parliament and government on fiscal planning. With Uganda navigating post-pandemic recovery, high public debt service, and growing demands for social services, the Budget Committee’s oversight function will be closely watched by development partners, the private sector, and citizens. Kankunda’s leadership will be tested in balancing competing priorities while maintaining fiscal discipline as required by the Public Finance Management Act and other budget laws.
As he assumes office, expectations are high that the committee will enhance public participation in the budget process and improve transparency in how taxpayer money is planned and spent. For Kankunda, the task ahead is clear: to ensure Parliament’s budget oversight translates into tangible development outcomes. The 12th Parliament will be looking to the Budget Committee to provide credible, data-driven recommendations that safeguard public interest and reinforce confidence in Uganda’s public finance management systems.
