The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has kicked-off Local Government regional consultative meetings in different parts of the country for the 2025/26 National Budget.
The teams from the ministry will for the next three days be in Lira, Jinja, Mbale, Masaka, Hoima, Fort Portal, Mbarara, Kabale, Arua, Gulu, and Kampala for the workshops. This comes after the National Budget Conference held last week.
According to the ministry, the objectives of the consultative workshops include: providing feedback on issues raised during last year’s budget consultations, discuss the budget strategy for FY 2025/26 and discuss the strategic direction of the NDP4, the 10-fold growth strategy and how this will translate into local economic growth.
Commissioner Moses Kabanda, speaking at the opening of the local government budget consultative workshop in Lira City, urged Local Government leaders from the districts of Gulu, Amolatar, Kalaki, Kwania, Kaberamaido, Kiryandongo and Gulu City to ensure that their budgets are in line with the priorities of government to grow the economy ten-fold in line with the strategic direction of NDP4.
“You should ensure that your budget framework papers for FY 2025/26 are prepared in line with the grant guidelines and the guidance issued in the 1st Budget Call Circular,” said Kabanda.
He also urged them to finalize their respective development plans by 31st March 2025, to guide the budgetary releases in FY 2025/26.
Regarding the delayed re-voting of unspent funds for Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer (UGIFT) and Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID), Kabanda said the Government has now ensured that these funds are available to LGs promptly to enable them complete ongoing projects.
In Arua, Minister of State for Investment & Privatisation Evelyn Anite and State Minister for Northern Uganda Kenneth Omona are leading the consultations on the budget for FY 2025/26.
Anite said the NDP4 to commence next FY is consistent with H.E the President’s guidance on the ambitious plan to grow the economy 10-fold by 2040.
“Growing the economy ten-fold by 2040 requires shifting to a higher growth trajectory of propelling the economy to double-digit growth; raising the tax-to-GDP ratio to 30%; raising per capita GDP from the current USD 1,146 to USD 700,” said the Minister.
She said these aspirations will be actualized through the four key growth areas (ATMS), adding that the government shall finance the budget for FY 2025/26 using domestically generated resources as well as external resources.
Minister Omona applauded the consultative and transparent nature of the budget formulation process.
He commended all players for spreading the gospel of development and mobilizing communities to participate in wealth creation initiatives and ultimately contribute to national development.
He also called upon leaders to prioritise the road infrastructure in the region to improve connectivity and trade.
In Hoima City, the Acting Commissioner of Budget Policy and Evaluation, John Muheirwoha, said the objective of the consultative meeting is to provide feedback on the recommendations made during last consultations for the Budget of FY 2024/25, Provide Government’s Strategic Direction and the Budget Strategy for FY 2025/26 and convey the outcomes of the recently concluded negotiations on conditional grants for FY 2025/26 among others.
He said the recommendations from these consultations will guide the finalisation of the FY 2025/26 budget. On the issue of financing for maintenance of district urban and community access roads (DUCAR), he said effective FY 2023/24,Ushs 1bn was provided under Uganda Road Fund. He noted that this allocation has been maintained in the budget for FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26 to enable LGs to improve their road networks. ” I implore you to prioritize maintenance of the most productive road network to stimulate economic activity within your respective districts,” said the Mini
