Uganda’s Finance Minister, Hon. Matia Kasaija, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening governance systems, enhancing national security, and deepening access to justice in the Financial Year 2025/26, while also unveiling bold steps to improve disaster preparedness and clear long-standing domestic arrears.
Delivering the national budget speech at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, Minister Kasaija announced significant allocations to ensure peace, law and order, and institutional accountability across the country as part of the UGX 72.38 trillion national budget.
“Security, good governance and the rule of law are the foundation for socio-economic transformation,” Kasaija told Parliament.
UGX 9.9 Trillion Earmarked for Security and Governance
To consolidate national stability and prepare for the upcoming 2026 General Elections, the government has allocated UGX 9.9 trillion towards the governance, security, and justice sectors.
Key highlights include: continued modernisation and professionalisation of the security forces, including the military, police, prisons, and intelligence agencies and enhanced border control, surveillance systems and crime tracking technologies, including rollout of the Intelligent Transport Monitoring System (ITMS) and expanded CCTV networks across Greater Kampala and major highways.
Others are implementing the Express Penalty System to reduce road traffic fatalities and launching the mass National ID enrollment drive, targeting over 33 million citizens for registration or renewal to support elections, service delivery, and financial inclusion.
Kasaija also commended the Uganda Prisons Service for transforming into a productive force, contributing to food security, local textile production, and cost-saving in inmate management.
Justice Sector Strengthened with Over UGX 600 Billion
The Judiciary received UGX 602.7 billion to deepen access to justice, modernise court systems, and expand infrastructure.
Key achievements and plans include: expansion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like plea bargaining, mediation, and small claims procedures—resolving thousands of cases cost-effectively, construction and operationalisation of new High Court circuits and magistrate courts in Entebbe, Lugazi, Patongo, Kumi and other areas, deployment of Electronic Court Case Management Systems (ECCMIS) and video conferencing facilities in 20 courts, improving case resolution efficiency and completion of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal infrastructure, with ongoing works in regional appeal courts.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. We are using innovation to ensure faster, fairer access to justice,” Kasaija said.
UGX 1.4 Trillion Set Aside for Domestic Arrears Clearance
In a major policy shift, the Minister revealed that the government will clear all verified domestic arrears within three years, starting with UGX 1.4 trillion in FY 2025/26—up from just UGX 200 billion this financial year.
The arrears to be cleared include payments owed to suppliers, contractors, land compensation, and war claimants.
To prevent further debt accumulation, Kasaija announced: strict enforcement of the Commitment Control System, sanctioning of Accounting Officers who create new arrears, and ring-fencing counterpart funding for multi-year projects.
Boosting Disaster Preparedness and Response
Uganda’s vulnerability to climate-related shocks and other natural disasters has led to increased investment in preparedness.
In the 2025/26 budget, UGX 20.7 billion is provided for immediate disaster response, UGX 169 billion will go into the Contingency Fund, and UGX 12.4 billion is allocated for improving meteorological services and early warning systems.
These measures aim to reduce loss of life, protect livelihoods, and improve resilience among vulnerable communities.
Anti-Corruption and Oversight
Kasaija reiterated the government’s crackdown on corruption through: automation of public services to reduce human interaction, increased forensic audits and performance tracking, and strict enforcement of accountability laws.
“Every shilling must work for the people. We are eliminating waste and sealing leaks in the public finance system,” Kasaija stressed.
As Uganda prepares for the 2026 elections, the FY 2025/26 budget sets a strong tone for institutional strengthening, service delivery, and citizen confidence in governance. According to Kasaija, this is vital for achieving the long-term development goals under Vision 2040 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
