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The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed the 2025 Appropriation Bill and the Eskom Debt Relief Amendment Bill during its plenary sitting held today.

The Appropriation Bill is a key part of the national budget. It outlines how government funds will be allocated among various departments. Section 27(1) of the Public Finance Management Act requires the Minister of Finance to table the annual budget for a financial year in the National Assembly before the start of that financial year or, in exceptional circumstances, on a date as soon as possible thereafter.

The Minister of Finance tabled the National Budget for the 2025/26 financial year, including the Appropriation Bill and the Eskom Debt Relief Bill, in May this year. Following the passing of the Bill in the National Assembly last week, the Appropriation Bill was subsequently referred to the Select Committee on Appropriations for consideration and reporting back to the NCOP plenary sitting for adoption.

This Bill is the law that authorises government to use public funds for various departments and entities, enabling them to deliver services and develop infrastructure and social programmes such as healthcare, education and social grants, while also supporting economic growth. The Bill also focuses on job creation and addressing unemployment.

On the other hand, the main objective of the Eskom Debt Relief Bill is to amend the Eskom Debt Relief Act of 2023 by reducing the financial requirements for Eskom for the 2025/26 financial year. It proposes that the entire amount for that year be treated as a loan, which can be converted into equity upon the fulfilment of certain conditions.

The Bill also introduces interest into the Eskom debt relief package at a market-related rate. The aim is to balance the interest charge and Eskom's cash flow, while reflecting a fair market-related rate. This is part of ongoing interventions to stabilise the power utility, which has faced years of operational challenges and financial crisis, and to modify its debt relief plan. Now that the Bill has been passed, there is hope that Eskom will have a more enabling balance sheet to spend more money on improving its capacity to supply electricity.

These two Bills passed by the NCOP will now be sent to the President for assent, as required by the Constitution.

Once Parliament passes the Appropriation Bill and signed into law by the President, government departments are allocated funds and commence implementing their approved spending plans. Parliament then exercises ongoing oversight through its portfolio and select committees to ensure accountability in the use of public funds. The Auditor-General conducts independent audits of departmental spending and reports the findings to Parliament. Where instances of financial mismanagement or underspending are identified, Parliament may recommend corrective action to ensure responsible and effective use of public resources.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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Parliament has raised concerns over the limited publicity as Uganda readies to host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) which kicks off on Saturday, 02 August 2025.

Legislators raised the concerns during debate on a statement by the Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang on Wednesday, 30 July 2025.

Members of Parliament praised the infrastructural progress but voiced frustration over the delayed and underwhelming promotion of the tournament.

Speaker Anita Among reminded the House that the successful hosting of CHAN would determine Uganda's readiness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“How we host CHAN will determine how ready we will be to host AFCON,” she said commending the government for its investment in infrastructure.

AUDIO Kayemba 

Hon. Geofrey Kayemba (Bukomansimbi South) questioned the timing and sufficiency of publicity efforts noting that only days remain before Uganda's first match.
“When was the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) given the Shs1 billion? This would have taken like three months back to do activations... the public needs to own it and to feel it,” he said adding that failure to invest in marketing was akin to hiding, ‘a beautiful thing... deep down our beds'.

Minister Ogwang clarified that although publicity is primarily a CAF responsibility, the government allocated Shs1 billion to FUFA to supplement these efforts given the short preparation window.
“This is a football event… we found it prudent that we use FUFA to help us as a government… to carry out this civic duty and popularise the event across the country,” he said adding that the campaign had begun in various towns with radio activations and advertisements.

AUDIO Ogwang

Hon. Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality) warned that poor publicity could lead to empty stadiums.
“If we don't publicise these games, the stadium will be empty. And that will not be very good for the country,” he said.

Hon. Susan Amero (Amuria District Woman Representative) used the occasion to call for balanced funding across all sports.
“We are treating football like it is the only game. I pray that in the subsequent budgeting, we should consider giving enough money to other sports,” she said.

AUDIO Amero

The Minister's statement highlighted that Uganda will host 12 matches at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole and that renovations at key training facilities including Kyambogo University, FUFA Kadiba, Mutesa II Stadium and Kampala International School Uganda (KISU) have met CAF standards.

Speaker Among also sought clarity on unaccounted funds previously allocated for sports infrastructure.
“There is the money… meant for Mbarara-Kakyeka Stadium. We want an explanation on what happened to that money. I also know that we gave money to Masaka. We also want an explanation on what happened,” she said.

Uganda is hosting Group C matches featuring Algeria, Guinea, Niger, South Africa and Uganda, as part of a joint East African PAMOJA bid with Kenya and Tanzania.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.