The Minister of Finance, Hon. Matia Kasaija, has officially launched the National Budget Month (NBM) for the Financial Year 2025/26, marking a critical moment for government accountability and citizen engagement in Uganda’s budgeting process.
The NBM serves as a platform for the Government to account for the use of public resources in the previous financial year (FY2024/25) and to highlight the impact of public spending on economic growth and social transformation.
It also offers a valuable opportunity for citizens to provide feedback on the existing tax regime and proposed fiscal reforms for the coming year.
Most importantly, the NBM aims to promote awareness and support for Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy and fiscal consolidation agenda, encouraging greater ownership and participation from citizens and stakeholders.
Commitment to Inclusive Governance
Speaking at the launch event held at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Thursday, Minister Kasaija reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive and transparent governance through a participatory budgeting process.
“The National Budget Month brings the approved budget closer to the people,” he stated. “It enables citizens to understand the implications of the national budget on their daily lives and to participate meaningfully in shaping national priorities.”
Minister Kasaija noted that since 2018, the Government has partnered with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to enhance transparency and expand public participation in budget formulation and implementation.
“This collaboration has helped open up the budget space to all citizens, including marginalised communities,” he said. “It has improved access to budget information, encouraged constructive public dialogue, and strengthened accountability at every level of government.”
He emphasized that inclusive budgeting is the foundation of a fair and equitable society and called on all Ugandans to actively engage in the scheduled activities throughout Budget Month.
Promoting Dialogue and Ownership
Minister Kasaija underscored the importance of fostering national dialogue on Uganda’s budget priorities and ensuring that every citizen feels represented in the process.
“Budget Month is not just about figures. It’s about deepening public understanding and promoting national ownership of the budget,” he said. “It provides a participatory platform where citizens can raise concerns, learn about national investments, and give feedback on government programs.”
He commended the coordination between Government and civil society in developing a harmonised calendar of activities that align national objectives with local realities.
He urged all Ugandans to take interest in how public resources are utilised and concluded by officially launching the National Budget Month FY2025/26.
Driving Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Agenda
Patrick Ocailap, Acting Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, highlighted that the FY2025/26 budget is aligned with Uganda’s ambition to grow its economy tenfold to a GDP of USD 500 billion by 2040, a vision outlined in the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
He noted that the budget focuses on four critical sectors collectively referred to as the “ATMs”:
- Agro-industrialisation
- Tourism Development
- Mineral-based Industrialisation (including oil and gas)
- Science, Technology, and Innovation, which covers ICT and the Creative Industry
To support these pillars, the Government is investing in key enablers such as peace and security, infrastructure development, human capital (education, health, and water), justice administration, anti-corruption measures, and economic monetisation through wealth creation initiatives.
“This budget goes beyond allocating funds,” Ocailap said. “It’s about transforming Uganda into a modern, inclusive, and self-sustaining economy that delivers for all Ugandans.”
A Strategic Transparency Initiative
Ocailap reiterated that the National Budget Month is more than a symbolic tradition, it is a strategic effort to promote transparency and accountability in how public resources are planned, allocated, and utilised.
“During Budget Month, Government, in partnership with CSOs and development partners, brings the national budget to communities, breaking it down into simple language and communicating economic opportunities,” he explained. “Most importantly, we gather public feedback to inform future policies and budget decisions.”
He concluded by emphasising that this approach empowers citizens to monitor and benefit from public programs, thereby strengthening the ownership, impact, and effectiveness of national development efforts.
