Finance Ministry Launches National Budget Month, Calls for Greater Citizen Participation Country-wide

KAMPALA: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has officially launched the National Budget Month for Financial Year 2026/27, reaffirming the government's commitment to transparency, accountability and citizen participation in the budget process. The national budget reading is confirmed for 11 June 2026 when the Minister of Finance will present the spending plan to Parliament.

Speaking at the launch held at the Ministry's Conference Hall in Kampala, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Dr Ramathan Ggoobi said the FY 2026/27 budget was developed through an extensive consultative process involving the President, Cabinet, Parliament, ministries, departments and agencies, local governments, civil society organizations, development partners, the private sector, academia, community leaders, youth groups, women groups, persons with disabilities and citizens across the country.

The FY 2026/27 budget, approved by Parliament on April 24, 2026, is themed: "Full Monetization of Uganda's Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation and Market Access." It represents a total envelope of UGX 84.39 trillion with the economy projected to grow at 10.4 percent, driven in part by the anticipated launch of commercial oil production in late 2026.

Stakeholders and government officials at the National Budget Month launch event, Kampala, 11 June 2026. | Photo: MoFPED

Dr Ggoobi noted that since its introduction in 2018, the National Budget Month initiative has significantly strengthened public engagement in the budget process, improved awareness of government programmes and enhanced Uganda's standing in international budget transparency assessments.

Implementation: Uganda's Biggest Challenge

While acknowledging meaningful progress in resource allocation, Dr Ggoobi was candid that Uganda's most pressing challenge has shifted from policy formulation to implementation. "For many years, the discussion centred on whether there is enough money. Today, Uganda's biggest challenge is no longer policy formulation or resource allocation. The major challenge is implementation," he said.

He added that the government is pursuing procurement reforms aimed at improving efficiency, reducing administrative costs and ensuring better value for money in public expenditure.

He further noted that more than 85 percent of government expenditure is directed towards the ATMS sectors: Agriculture, Tourism, Minerals and Science, Technology and Innovation and their supporting enablers, positioning these as the key growth engines under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy.

Acting Director of Budget, Hannington Ashaba, during his welcoming address at the budget launch. | Photo: MoFPED

Director of Budget Sets the Tone

In his welcoming remarks, Acting Director of Budget Hannington Ashaba appreciated participants including government officials, finance ministry staff, Budget Transparency Initiative (BTI) partners and the press for their roles in preparing the FY 2026/27 national budget.

Ashaba urged all Ugandans to be ready to tap into opportunities emerging from the strategic growth areas of agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral-based industrialisation including oil and gas, and science, technology and innovation, including ICT and the creative arts sector.

Julius Mukunda, Executive Director of CSBAG, speaking at the Budget Month launch. | Photo: CSBAG

Civil Society: A Blueprint for Growth But Discipline Matters

Julius Mukunda, Executive Director of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) described the UGX 84.39 trillion FY 2026/27 budget as a massive blueprint for growth. He highlighted Uganda's economic resilience, noting that double-digit growth is achievable, investment in human capital is increasing and first oil production is drawing closer.

Mukunda called on all stakeholders to approach the process as partners, not adversaries, advocating for prudent public financial management and realistic budget priorities for sustainable development. He flagged the need to address high interest rates, strengthen fiscal discipline and rationalize non-critical public expenditure to ease pressure on the broader economy.

A wider view of the National Budget Month launch event. | Photo: MoFPED

Key Budget Month Activities

The launch kicks off a nationwide calendar of budget engagement activities running through July 2026:

• Jun 4–Jul 7 Pre- and post-budget media engagements nationwide
• Jun 11 National Budget Reading: Parliament, Kampala
• Jun 18 National Youth Budget Dialogue: WDF, WaterAid, NYAP, MCLD Uganda, Touch The Heart Uganda, CIDI & Partners
• Jun 19 Post-Budget Investment Dialogue: CSBAG, ACODE & UDN
• Jun 23 National Private Sector Dialogue: Private Sector Foundation Uganda
• Ongoing Regional post-budget awareness campaigns across all regions
• Jul 9 Post-budget tax dialogues (URA) & Open Budget Survey results launch

WDF commends the Ministry of Finance for sustaining the National Budget Month tradition and for the growing transparency scores Uganda has recorded. We equally commend Budget Transparency Initiative partners including CSBAG, ACODE, UDN, UNICEF Uganda, SEATINI Uganda, the Uganda Revenue Authority and the Private Sector Foundation Uganda for keeping accountability at the heart of the budget conversation.

As the National Budget is presented on 11 June 2026 and deliberations unfold through July, we call on all young Ugandans to engage, attend community dialogues, follow the budget discussions, ask questions and hold duty-bearers accountable. The national budget is not a government document. It is a people's document. Claim it.