The Uganda 2025/2026 budget was presented amid many challenges. Poor budget execution and growing social demands remain key issues. The plan promises significant funds for health, education, social protection, and security. It aims to meet public needs and political goals ahead of the elections.
The budget theme, “Full Monetisation of the Ugandan Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialisation, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation and Market Access,” has stayed consistent for three years. Finance Ministry officials argue this consistency reflects a strategic focus rather than fragmented efforts.
Finance Minister Matia Kasaija highlighted key progress. Access to health facilities increased to 91%. Government-aided schools now cover 81% of parishes. Poverty dropped from 24.5% in 2010 to 16.1% today. However, poor budget execution continues to hamper service delivery. For example, Kampala’s roads remain broken, and hospitals like Uganda Cancer Institute struggle to meet demand.
The budget allocates Shs5.87 trillion to health with the goal of improving health centre IVs and community health services. Despite the funding, challenges persist. Staff shortages, drug stockouts, and weak emergency care still affect many areas.
According to the World Health Organization, 30% of women still deliver without skilled attendants. Uganda’s maternal mortality rate stands at 189 per 100,000 live births. Neonatal mortality remains above global targets. Therefore, the health system urgently needs more staff, stronger community engagement, and better-quality care.
Education receives Shs5.04 trillion for Universal Primary and Secondary Education. Yet, the Auditor General’s report reveals serious problems. Many classrooms suffer from dilapidation and overcrowding. The teacher-pupil ratio averages 1:75, which exceeds the recommended 1:53.
Additionally, poor data management and lack of teaching tools worsen the situation. These factors reveal a gap between budget allocations and actual education quality on the ground.
Social protection programs such as the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), and Social Assistance Grants for the Elderly (SAGE) receive Shs11.44 trillion. These initiatives target youth, women, and elderly populations.
However, fund recovery remains very low. For instance, only 6% of last year’s YLP funds were recovered. This severely limits the programs’ sustainability. Similarly, the Parish Development Model (PDM) struggles due to insufficient supervision and monitoring budgets, despite political backing.
The security sector receives Shs9.9 trillion aimed at improving welfare and pay for UPDF, police, prisons, and intelligence personnel. The budget addresses long-standing concerns about poor living conditions in these forces.
For the first time, the government allocates Shs60 billion specifically to the creative industry. This includes music, arts, culture, and tourism. The funds will help create revolving capital, assist artists in acquiring homes, and protect copyrights. This move recognizes the sector’s growing economic importance.
Still, the creative industry remains politically divided. The government favors artists who support the ruling party, which complicates efforts for unity and advocacy within the sector.
The budget clearly reflects the influence of the upcoming elections. It prioritizes youth, elderly, artists, and security forces—key voter groups. Although officials reject the label of a populist budget, they say it aligns with national development plans and the ruling party’s manifesto.
Election-related spending also includes war claims and expanded social programs. These expenditures highlight how fiscal policy intertwines with politics.
Overall, the Uganda 2025/2026 budget sets ambitious goals. It seeks to expand social spending and transform the economy. However, corruption, poor execution, and resource misallocation remain significant obstacles.
Increased funding for health, education, social protection, security, and creative industries offers hope. Yet, Uganda must improve planning, monitoring, and accountability to ensure resources reach those who need them most. Only then can the country achieve sustainable growth and improve service delivery.
Read: Uganda FY2025/2026 Budget: Kasaija Hails Economic Growth
