Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has called for stronger budget credibility, fiscal discipline and value for money in the management of public resources.
Minister Musasizi made the call on Thursday during a meeting with staff of the Budget Directorate at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), where he emphasised the need to improve the planning, preparation and implementation of Uganda’s National Budget.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Budget Directorate led by Acting Director Budget Hannington Ashaba.
Minister Musasizi said protecting the credibility of the national budget is among his key priorities at the ministry and in government, stressing that public resources must be allocated in line with approved plans and national priorities.
“Resources must be allocated in line with approved plans and national priorities,” Minister Musasizi said, urging officials to exercise greater discipline in public spending.
He said government officials should thoroughly assess and scrutinise expenditure needs before committing public funds, noting that the budget should ultimately translate into tangible improvements for citizens.
The minister also called for faster and more efficient government business while maintaining the necessary procedures and controls required under public financial management regulations.
Minister Musasizi further urged the ministry to strengthen procedures for issuing certificates of financial implication, saying the certificates should be based on clear and sound assumptions for proposed policies and programmes.
He also called for greater public ownership of the budget process and timely submission of information by government institutions to facilitate credible and timely budget preparation.
Ashaba said the Budget Directorate’s priorities include protecting budget credibility, safeguarding fiscal space, strengthening public investment discipline and linking planning and budgeting to measurable results.
He reaffirmed the directorate’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s ambition of becoming a $500 billion economy by prioritising resources towards financial inclusion and other key economic enablers.
