National Budget Month for FY 2025/26 Launched

Finance Minister Matia Kasaija has launched the national budget month activities for FY 2025/26 at the Uganda Media Centre.

During the launch, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija said the NRM Government has continued to undertake deliberate reforms to strengthen good governance and inclusivity in the national budget processes.

Kasaija said a responsive budget process, is one that leaves no one behind, and is therefore fundamental in building a just and equitable society.

He applauded the collaboration with Civil Society Organizations since 2018 to date to promote budget transparency and accountability.

Kasaija said the national budget month is a vital platform for bringing the budget closer to the people, adding that it provides space for dialogue on national priorities and citizen concerns.

“It’s an opportunity for all stakeholders to better understand what the approved budget entails and how it will impact their lives,” said the Minister.

Kasaija also launched the National Public Investment Management (NPIM) Policy which will transform how Uganda plans, implements, and monitors public investments.

The NPIM Policy will ensure that every shilling invested delivers real value through job creation, improved services, and sustained economic growth.

“As we embark on the implementation of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), our ambition is to grow Uganda’s economy from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion in the next 15 years. Achieving this will require better planning, efficient use of public resources, and timely delivery of high-impact projects,” said the Minister.

The Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, Patrick Ocailap said Government remains committed to the fiscal consolidation agenda by sustaining the drive for increasing revenue generation, limiting borrowing to only critical investments and ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in use of the limited public resources.

He said during the budget month the Ministry together with Partners will provide full disclosure of the budget; communicate the opportunities in the budget and how every Ugandan can benefit from them; account to the people of Uganda on the previous financial year budget commitments and also obtain feedback from the citizens to inform future budgets and policies.

Earlier, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner, Abel Kagumire who represented the URA Commissioner General, John Musinguzi said the national ambition is to fully fund the budget using domestic resources, adding that this is how Uganda will reduce dependence, regain policy space, and take ownership of its development journey.

“This ambition is not for government alone. It requires the full participation of every eligible citizen. It calls for tax compliance, civic vigilance, and a renewed sense of shared responsibility,” said Kagumire.

He reaffirmed URA’s commitment to transparency, dialogue, and service, adding that they are ready to support every citizen, every taxpayer, and every stakeholder on this journey.

The Civil Society in a joint statement delivered by the Executive Director, CSBAG Julius Mukunda commended the government for the approval of the Public Investment Management Policy and demonstrated commitment to climate finance.

They however called upon Government to prioritize financing to ATMS and local governments in addition to limiting domestic borrowing and ensuring that the private sector is effective.

Budget Month Activities FY 2025/26

1. Launch of the Budget Month and National Public Investment Management (NPIM) Policy - 29^th May, 2025;
2.  Blood Donation drive by Uganda Blood Transfusion Services - 29^th May, 2025 at the Ministry of Finance parking area;
3. Pre & Post budget speech Media Engagements on Topical Issues on the Budget/Economy –Wednesday 4^th June, 2025 to Saturday 12^th July 2025;
4. Pre-Budget Dialogue on the State of the Economy by SEATINI on Tuesday 10^th June, 2025;
5.  Budget Reading- Thursday 12^th June, 2025;
6. Hybrid Post-Budget Breakfast Conference on Tax Measures by URA Tuesday 17^th June, 2025;
7.  Business to Budget High-Level Dialogue under the theme “Assessing the effects of Budget on Growth, Trade and Private Investment” by CSBAG- Tuesday 17^th June, 2025;
8. Post Budget Dialogue to facilitate public discussion and feedback on the approved budget by ACODE and CSBAG - Wednesday 18^th June, 2025;
9.  Post- Budget EAC Tax and Debt Dialogue and National Dialogue on Tax Measures for FY 2025/26 by SEATINI- Thursday 26^th June, 2025;
10. Private Sector National Dialogue on Wealth Creation, Business and Economic Recovery by PSFU- Monday 16^th June and Regional Dialogues from Wednesday 18^th June to Friday 27^th June, 2025;
11. Regional Budget Engagements and Taxpayers Dialogue on Opportunities in the Budget and Tax Measures by URA from 19^th to 27^th June, 2025; and,
12. Dialogue with Journalists and Editors on the National Budget on Friday 27^th June, 2025.