Leader of the Opposition Dumelang Saleshando has accused the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government of failing to honour its election promises, warning that Botswana risks becoming a “New BDP” under a different name.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Saleshando expressed disappointment at the UDC’s first budget, which he said fell short of addressing the critical issues facing Batswana. He criticized the government for abandoning key pledges made during the 2024 election campaign, including promises of economic growth, job creation, and social welfare improvements.

Saleshando highlighted the UDC’s manifesto commitments, which included growing the economy at an average of 10% over five years, creating 450,000 to 500,000 jobs, increasing old age pensions to P1,800, reducing the pension age to 60, and introducing a living wage of P4,000. He noted that the budget speech was “deafeningly silent” on these promises, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to delivering on its social contract with the people.

“The UDC government has a duty to be candid with the nation about which of its promises it will fulfil and which it will abandon or revise,” Saleshando said. “Promises cannot be abandoned quietly. Failure to fulfil these promises, especially the foundational one on growth, means the UDC gave Batswana false hope.”

He pointed out that the budget projected a modest economic growth rate of 3.3% for 2025/26, far below the UDC’s ambitious target of 10%. This, he argued, would make it impossible to create the promised jobs and improve living standards for ordinary Batswana.

Saleshando drew parallels between the UDC’s approach and that of the former Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government, which he accused of making empty promises. He warned that if the UDC continues on this path, it risks becoming a “New BDP in a different colour.”

“One of the key features of the Old Botswana was making promises that the government never intended to achieve,” he said. “If we have a new government that is quick to make pledges and forgets them within the first hundred days in office, then it cannot be a New Botswana.”

While Saleshando criticized the UDC for failing to deliver on its promises, he acknowledged areas of convergence between the opposition Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and the UDC government. He expressed support for reforms in public finance management, procurement systems, and efforts to promote solar energy. He also welcomed initiatives such as the increase in old age pensions to P1,400 and the introduction of a means-tested child grant.

However, he raised concerns about the casualization of labour, underfunding of local governments, and inadequate allowances for tertiary students. He called for an increase in student allowances to P2,500, arguing that the current amount of P1,900 undermines the investment in education and exposes students to exploitation.

Saleshando also criticized the UDC’s lukewarm approach to combating corruption, particularly its failure to address the role of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) in fuelling corruption. He reiterated the BCP’s commitment to pushing for a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to expose corruption and hold perpetrators accountable.

On gender-based violence (GBV), Saleshando called for urgent action, describing it as a national crisis. He urged the government to convene a National Pitso on GBV and adopt a comprehensive strategy to address the issue.