This booklet explains how Government plans to collect and spend money this financial year July 2003 to June 2004. It also informs you of what programmes government will spend money on to reduce poverty. It will also show you what you can do to make the budget succeed.

The Uganda Poverty Assessment Programme (UPPAP) re-confirmed that lack of information is one of the causes of poverty in Uganda. When citizens do not know how much money government has sent to local governments, it makes it much easier for corrupt officials to “eat” the money intended to benefit citizens like you. Therefore Government wants every Ugandan to know what is in the budget so that everyone participates in making sure that money meant for poverty eradication activities is used for the right purposes to benefit all.

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development produces this booklet each year to explain what money is available and how it will be spent The booklet will help you to understand more about the money the Government raises and spends on behalf of all citizens and what you can do to help programmes succeed. As a citizen, you have a right to know how decisions on the use of money in your country iand local governments in particular, are made. You have a right to express your ideas on how it should be spent. And you have a right to speak up when you think this money is not used to benefit you or your community.

This booklet will help you to understand what is in the budget for financial year 2003/2004, that Parliament has approved