Members of Parliament are pressing for a stronger role in shaping the national budget, seeking assurances that their input will influence final allocations rather than being treated as procedural formalities.
Social and Community Affairs Chairperson Savel Kafwafwa said the longstanding practice of discussing budgets without tangible adjustments has left lawmakers frustrated.
“For the past 10 or 20 years, we raise issues in the Committee of Supply, but once the figures are set, nothing changes,” Kafwafwa said.
He noted that early parliamentary processes lacked cluster meetings, which are now intended to facilitate detailed budget deliberations, but MPs still worry their contributions may be overlooked.
“The morale and energy of cluster chairs have been affected because we discuss changes that may never happen,” he said, urging the Minister of Finance to provide a platform to review feedback.
Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha welcomed the call, saying it was the first budget under his ministry and that he is committed to engaging committee chairs.
“We do welcome the observation made by the cluster chairpersons. All chairs need to know what is in the budget and should be able to debate and provide oversight when they return home,” Mwanamvekha said.
He assured MPs that their recommendations do influence the budget and highlighted ongoing consultations with stakeholders including academia, religious organizations, and Parliament itself.
