Uganda Parliament Approves Shs84.3 Trillion Budget for 2026/27 Amid Debt Pressures

Uganda’s Parliament passed the Shs84.3 trillion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year on April 24, 2026, under Speaker Anita Among. The approval came through adopting the Appropriation Bill and the Budget Committee’s report.

State Minister Henry Musasizi outlined financing: Shs44.18 trillion from domestic revenue, Shs11.97 trillion domestic borrowing, Shs11.27 trillion external project support, Shs13.97 trillion domestic refinancing, Shs1.44 trillion petroleum revenues, Shs1.22 trillion budget support grants, and Shs339 billion local government revenues.

Expenditure splits into Shs47.16 trillion discretionary and Shs37.23 trillion statutory, including debt servicing at Shs33.4 trillion—nearly 40% of the total. Budget Deputy Chairperson Remigio Achia highlighted how debt obligations limit funds for service delivery.

Key allocations include Shs13.5 trillion for human capital development with teacher salary hikes and AFCON 2027 preparations; Shs10.2 trillion for security; Shs10.8 trillion for infrastructure like roads and electricity; Shs2.5 trillion for Parish Development Model and youth programs; Shs2.2 trillion for agro-industrialization; and Shs1.1 trillion for science, technology, and ICT.

Additional funds cover road works (Shs664.3 billion), rural electrification (Shs45 billion), health supplies (Shs100 billion), and cattle compensation in Northern Uganda (Shs100 billion).

Criticism arose in a minority report by MP Ssemujju Nganda, who opposed last-minute changes adding Shs997 billion, calling them prone to abuse. Debates touched on reallocations, sickle cell support, university funding cuts, and stalled projects like Lubowa Hospital, which Minister Margaret Muhanga said is 75% complete.

Source: Parliament of Uganda