This week, the minister of finance James Musoni presented the 2009/2010 national budget to the parliament. It indicates that public spending for the government will increase by 24 percent.

The Sunday Times went around town gathering the views of the people about this year’s budget.

Elia Ngabonzima, kiosk airtime vendor: "The budget is how the government allocates its resources to finance and run the country. It should focus on uplifting the poor by providing markets for their produce. It should also channel more money into agriculture. The government should also promote family planning for the Rwandese for this will lead to economic improvement.”

Rose Uwimana, a house wife: "I have not heard anything about the budget so far, but I think it is how the government gives money to the ministries. The government should spend more money in creating jobs for example I have been unemployed and many of my colleagues too, food products are also expensive they should be reduced.”

Maurice Muatangana (not really names), Great Lakes Initiative: "The budget is how the government allocates resources generated from within and out of the country. The economic situation is very appalling and the experts we have can’t change it. Agriculture was apportioned less because they deserve it. They are not transparent for example last year, the ministry advertised jobs to develop terraces in Gitarama with registration of Rwf4000 non refundable but they never gave any jobs. The government should focus much on the industrial sector and reduce the cost of building raw materials.”

Ezra Mucyo, motor cyclist: "I think this is how a government uses money to develop a country. As motor cyclists we have suffered this year with fuel prices rising higher than our means to provide transportation services. So the budget should think about the transportation sector because it is a strong pillar in development.”

Martin Makombe, teacher: "It is the allocation of resources by the government to various sectors for purposes of development. I think the government should allocate more funds to education because this is the corner stone of the national development.’

Ends