The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has officially released Shs 17.18 trillion for the first quarter of the Financial Year 2025/26 (July-September 2025), representing 23.7% of the approved national budget of Shs 72.38 trillion.
This substantial allocation is designed to propel the nation’s ambitious Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, a key priority for the government.
Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), emphasised that the budget’s core purpose is to enhance technical efficiency across all government entities, ensuring improved service delivery to Ugandans at the lowest cost.
The Ministry of Finance’s detailed breakdown of Q1 allocations highlights significant funds for statutory obligations, security, infrastructure, human capital development, health, and revenue generation. PSST Ggoobi reinforced strict financial discipline, including timely payment of salaries and pensions, avoiding new recruitment without clearance, and mandating that all contracts be executed in Uganda Shillings.
Budget Highlights for Q1 FY 2025/26:
The released funds prioritise critical sectors and statutory obligations: Wages and Salaries — Shs 2.261 trillion has been allocated across government; Pension and Gratuity — Shs 482.76 billion; Parliament — Shs 249.38 billion; Electoral Commission — Shs 468.72 billion; Judiciary — Shs 47.37 billion; Auditor General — Shs 19.14 billion; National Planning Authority — Shs 53.72 billion; National Citizenship and Immigration Control — Shs 40.43 billion, and Uganda National Bureau of Standards — Shs 26.44 billion.
Strategic Investments to Drive Growth (ATMS):
The budget underpins key enablers for the “Ten-Fold Growth Strategy” through the “ATMS” initiative: Agro-industrialisation (A): Shs 215.28 billion, with Shs 62.41 billion for research and operations and Shs 152.86 billion for development projects.
Tourism development (T): Shs 20.5 billion released to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and Uganda Tourism Board, excluding funds for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Mineral-Based Industrial Development (M): Shs 26 billion, with Shs 19.5 billion for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, excluding Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).
Science, Technology and Innovation (S): Shs 139.13 billion for development interventions, including Shs 33 billion for Artists and Shs 83.3 billion under Science, Technology and Innovation.
Sectoral Allocations:
Security: Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (Shs 719.12 billion), Uganda Police Force (Shs 130.73 billion), State House (Shs 108.38 billion), Uganda Prisons Service (Shs 87.15 billion), Office of the President (Shs 111.4 billion), ISO (Shs 39.2 billion), and ESO (Shs 86.9 billion).
Infrastructure: Ministry of Works and Transport (Shs 1.076 trillion, with Shs 942.90 billion for ongoing works), Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (Shs 420.76 billion for rural electrification and power generation), and Kampala Capital City Authority (Shs 148.32 billion for urban development).
Human Capital Development: Ministry of Education and Sports (Shs 143.75 billion, including Shs 80.42 billion for non-wage recurrent and Shs 63.33 billion for USEEP and ULEARN projects), and Public Universities/Institutions (Shs 157.73 billion).
Health: Shs 262.88 billion for the Ministry of Health, including Shs 238.74 billion for planned health infrastructure development and global health initiatives. Shs 173.96 billion for National Medical Stores.
Gender, Labour and Social Development: Shs 118.23 billion, including Shs 83.64 billion for operational budget and SAGE requirements.
Uganda Cancer Institute and Uganda Heart Institute: Shs 80.18 billion (Shs 55.10 billion for contractual obligations, Shs 25.08 billion for operations). Regional Referral hospitals (including Mulago and Butabika): Shs 40.99 billion, with Shs 40 billion for non-wage recurrent budget.
Local Governments: Shs 382.03 billion, with Shs 342.52 billion for operations and Shs 39.50 billion for projects with contractual obligations.
Revenue Generating Votes: Uganda Revenue Authority: Shs 114.90 billion to facilitate revenue collection, and Uganda Registration Services Bureau: Shs 9.71 billion.
The Ministry of Finance reiterated that all Accounting Officers are mandated to pay salaries, pensions, and gratuity by the 28th of every month. They are also urged to prioritise payments to service providers to eliminate domestic arrears and penalties, and to ensure all contracts are executed in Uganda Shillings.
Crucially, no new recruitment will occur without clearance from the Ministry of Public Service. Accounting Officers are further advised to convene Finance Committee Meetings to agree on priorities for the quarter and allocate resources to cost centres.
