The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi Ariganyira, has called for improved management of public resources to ensure Uganda’s economic growth translates into better livelihoods for ordinary citizens.
Minister Musasizi made the remarks on Friday while opening the 12th Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Budget and National Economy retreat at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
He said Uganda’s economy has continued to grow at more than five per cent despite global economic shocks, but warned that the next priority should be turning economic growth into productive jobs, higher household incomes, enterprise development and wealth creation.
The minister said the objectives are in line with the government’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, whose broader ambition is to eliminate poverty and transform Uganda into a $500 billion economy.
“Growth must translate into tangible benefits for Ugandans,” Minister Musasizi said, emphasising the need for government to improve the quality of public spending.
He said government should shift its focus from inputs and activities to measurable results while strengthening public investment management and addressing budget pressures arising from wages, debt servicing and statutory obligations.
Minister Musasizi said every public shilling should deliver value and contribute to improved service delivery.
He noted that Uganda’s public financial management systems are largely in place, but said the major challenge is implementation, enforcement and accountability.
Among the priorities, he listed strengthening internal controls and auditing, clearing arrears, improving liquidity management, finalising procurement reforms and strengthening management of public assets.
The measures, he said, would help reduce waste, improve value for money and enhance delivery of public services.
On domestic revenue mobilisation, Minister Musasizi said government targets to increase the tax-to-GDP ratio from 13 per cent to 20 per cent during the current term.
He said achieving the target would require stronger domestic revenue mobilisation, firm government commitment and continued support from Parliament.
“Increased domestic revenue will be essential to financing national development while reducing excessive reliance on borrowing,” he said.
Minister Musasizi also called for stronger cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and Parliament, saying effective parliamentary oversight depends on timely, accurate and complete information.
He said improved coordination would help address communication gaps and strengthen scrutiny of government policies, budgets, borrowing decisions, expenditure and overall financial management.
Starting this financial year, the minister said accounting officers will sign a Budget Discipline and Accountability Charter aimed at strengthening controls over supplementary budgets, recruitment, arrears and financial commitments.
He urged Parliament to play its oversight role in ensuring that the commitments are implemented and public resources managed responsibly.
Minister Musasizi said the retreat should move beyond discussions and result in concrete actions, including stronger engagement between the ministry and Parliament, designated coordination focal points and agreed timelines for responding to parliamentary requests.
He said Uganda’s development ambitions will depend not only on sound policies and strong public financial management systems, but also on discipline, accountability and effective execution.
