(14) That by December 2000, the Central Government had disbursed half of the money budgeted for supplementary drugs in this financial year.
(15) That by February of this year, all the health units were reasonably stuffed/supplied with the drugs acquired using money from the conditional grant.
(16) That therefore it was no longer justified to deny the poor health services due to inability to pay under cost-sharing policy.
(17) That with or without elections the Government agenda on cost-sharing had already been set by the budget of the financial year 2000/2001.
(18) That it is therefore not correct to say that the respondent abolished cost-sharing to induce voters in view of the Government agenda.”
Further in response, Hon. Mr. Benigua Mukiibi averred as follows:
“(3)That I am the Minister of State for Public Service in the Government of Uganda and presently holding the portfolio because the substantive Minister for Public Service is on annual leave.
(4) That the scope of this portfolio extends to making proposals for the increase, adjustment and or regulations of salaries of public servants and emoluments of pensioners.
(5) that during the National Budget for the financial year 2000/2001, the Minister of Finance made provisions for the implementation of recommendations in the pay strategy report prepared by the Ministry of Public Service to address the plight of the middle rank professionals. A copy of the Budget speech read on 15 the June 2000 was annexed.
