Kampala — THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has advised the Government to cut expenditure on public administration.

This money, the party says, can be channelled to more demanding essential services as a measure of minimising the effect of the global economic crisis.

Addressing journalists at Najjanankumbi in Kampala yesterday, the FDC spokesperson Wafula Oguttu, said expenditures on State House and the Government officials including the President should be cut down and the money channeled to social services, especially the health sector.

Wafula said the global crisis has begun affecting Uganda's economy and several measures should be undertaken to save the country's economy from getting into shambles.

The FDC officials also want President Yoweri Museveni to apologise to Ugandans for saying the global economic crisis would not affect the country.

"According to media reports, the remittances from Ugandans abroad have drastically gone down. Stock exchange investors including my self have lost sh400b," Wafula said.

"Our money has been lost, prices have gone up, and our forex has reduced. This is a clear indication that the President gave false projections on the crisis," Wafula argued.

"As you may have noticed, the level of consumption for services by the NGOs has gone down. Actually, it is expected that many NGOs in Uganda will close down," the FDC secretary for trade and industry, Mukalazi Kibuuka, said.

He advised government to emulate Kenya by initiating strategies for raising more domestic budget funds and reduce dependence on foreign budget support.

The FDC officials said they have carried out a survey on all government health centers and found them without drugs and other necessary medical equipment.

"Our health centers are in an appalling state which requires an urgent solution. We found many centers lacking anti-malaria drugs. As such, many people have died after failing to access drugs," Wafula said.