URA Denies Shs18.2 Billion Medical Budget.
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has dismissed media reports and parliamentary queries regarding its proposed Shs18.2 billion allocation for the 2025/26 financial year under “medical expenses.”
The clarification comes after Kabula County MP, Hon. Enos Asiimwe, raised questions during a parliamentary session on whether the allocation was intended for the purchase of medicines or for medical insurance coverage for URA staff.
In response, URA spokesperson Mr. Robert Kalumba categorically refuted claims that the Authority engages in the procurement of medicines, stressing that the allocation has been mischaracterized.
“Let’s not mislead citizens. URA has never been in the business of purchasing medicine. The figure in question is allocated for workman’s compensation, motor vehicle insurance, insurance for URA equipment, and physical infrastructure across the country,” Mr. Kalumba clarified in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
In a separate response directed at the media which suggested that URA’s “medicine budget” exceeds that of Mulago National Referral Hospital, Mr. Kalumba noted that the publications did not verify their information with the Authority prior to publication.
“URA has nothing entitled ‘medicine budget.’ A further check by your team would have revealed that URA does not purchase medicines,” he stated.
Mr. Kalumba emphasized the importance of accurate reporting, particularly when dealing with technical budget classifications that can be easily misunderstood by the public if not properly explained.
The confusion appears to have stemmed from a misinterpretation of the term “medical expenses” in URA’s budget documentation.
According to URA, the funds are allocated primarily for staff medical insurance and other related staff welfare provisions—not for the procurement of pharmaceutical supplies or the operation of in-house medical facilities.