Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has revealed a substantial upward revision of Uganda’s proposed 2026/27 national budget, raising total expenditure to 78.24 trillion shillings. The adjustment adds 8.85 trillion shillings to projections that were released only last month.
The initial Budget Framework Paper, endorsed by Parliament in January, had set government spending at 69.39 trillion shillings. In a circular dated February 13, Ggoobi cited stronger domestic revenue expectations, anticipated external support, and increased domestic borrowing as the key drivers behind the revised figures.
Lawmakers are expected to review the updated proposal when it is presented to the parliamentary budget committee next week. The expanded fiscal plan signals a recalibrated strategy aimed at reinforcing economic momentum amid evolving financial forecasts.
According to the Finance Ministry, the additional resources will be funneled into priority growth sectors, including agriculture, industrial development, service industries, and digital innovation. These sectors are viewed as central pillars in Uganda’s broader economic transformation agenda.
Ggoobi underscored that the revised allocations represent firm expenditure ceilings. Accounting officers have been directed to operate strictly within the approved limits, with no opportunity for renegotiation once submissions are completed. He emphasized the need for strategic allocation to maximize measurable impact.
The 2026/27 fiscal year marks the second phase of National Development Plan IV, an ambitious roadmap designed to significantly expand Uganda’s economic output. It is also the first budget cycle under the Charter for Fiscal Responsibility for the 2026–2031 period, reinforcing commitments to prudent fiscal management.
To strengthen oversight, the ministry has rolled out tighter accountability measures. Accounting officers will be directly answerable to Parliament for financial mismanagement. Recruitment across government institutions will require written clearance and verified funding, while ICT investments must receive centralized approval to prevent duplication. Governance agreements with development partners now require prior Cabinet authorization.
While government officials describe the revision as necessary and strategic, some civil society observers have questioned why such a large adjustment was required within weeks of the initial estimate. Members of the parliamentary budget committee, however, argue the increase accommodates previously proposed expenditures. Under the Public Finance Management Act, the final draft estimates must be tabled before Parliament by April 1, setting the stage for final deliberations.
