Business 3 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Business Leaders Urge Government to Prioritize Ordinary Citizens in Upcoming Budget
Ugandan business leaders are calling on the government to craft the FY 2026/27 budget around the needs of everyday citizens, emphasizing support for healthcare, risk protection, and small businesses amid rising taxes. They highlight ongoing economic pressures and warn against measures that could deepen hardships without adequate safeguards. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/business-firms-ask-govt-to-focus-budget-on-ordinary-citizens-5412706
As Uganda prepares for the FY 2026/27 budget cycle, business leaders have voiced strong concerns over the proposed Shs84.2 trillion plan, where citizens would bear Shs44.5 trillion or 52.8 percent through taxes. Speaking at the League of East African Directors (LEAD) convention launch in Kampala, they stressed the need for provisions addressing economic shocks, digital challenges, and cyber threats.
LEAD CEO Trevor Ariho pointed to annual spikes in prices and living costs, urging the government to ease the tax load on individuals and bolster business sustainability. The budget draft projects Shs1.7 trillion from tax reforms, Shs2.5 trillion from traffic fines, and Shs7.3 trillion in new local revenue.
Earnest Magezi, CEO of Kenbright, advocated for stronger risk mitigation against fires, floods, and theft, which devastate small traders. He called for advancing the National Health Insurance scheme to provide affordable medical access, using the example of a market vendor left destitute after a fire.
Businesswoman Mona Muguma Ssebuliba advised firms to adopt agile risk management and adaptive models for post-budget resilience. An upcoming LEAD conference on April 30 in Kampala will tackle leadership, governance, and Uganda’s Shs107 trillion public debt, which equates to Shs2.3 million per citizen as of September 2024 per Uganda Debt Network research.
Ministry of Finance spokesperson Jim Mugunga invited formal submissions, noting the budget involves broad consultations with stakeholders, manufacturers, investors, and parliamentary committees.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)