By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
KAMPALA
Uganda’s Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has presented a resource envelope of Shs 84.39 trillion for the 2026/27 financial year, outlining ambitious reforms to drive growth, strengthen accountability, and improve service delivery.
According to the Minister, domestic revenues will contribute Shs 45.96 trillion, with Shs 40.16 trillion from tax, Shs 4.02 trillion from non-tax sources, Shs 1.44 trillion from petroleum, and Shs 339.8 billion from Local Governments.
Domestic borrowing is projected at Shs 11.97 trillion, while Shs 13.97 trillion will go toward debt refinancing. New Tax MeasuresTo boost revenue, government has announced increases in excise duties on key commodities: Cooking oil: Shs 200 to Shs 400 per litre, generating Shs 25 billion, cement: Shs 500 to Shs 750 per 50kg bag, generating Shs 15 billion, Sugar: Shs from 100 to Shs 200 per kilogram, generating Shs 25 billion.Diesel and petrol: Shs 200 per litre increase, generating Shs 450 billion.
Alcoholic drinks: Uganda Waragi, Black Label, Cognac, Amarula, Shs 1,700 to Shs 3,500 per litre, generating Shs 85 billion.
Key Allocations are Science, Technology, ICT, and Creative Industries: Shs 1.14 trillion.Teacher salaries: Shs 568.65 billion to enhance pay for primary, arts, and BTVET teachers while Health sector has been allocated 5.23 trillion focusing on maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, NCDs, essential medicines, specialized care, emergency response, and pathways to universal health coverage.
Musasizi emphasized that achieving Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Agenda requires more than investment: “It requires discipline, accountability, efficiency and integrity.”
Government will implement a comprehensive reform agenda to eliminate waste, corruption, delays, and inefficiency. Priorities include:Budget discipline: All Accounting Officers to sign accountability charters with sanctions for breaches.
Anti-corruption measures: Procurement reforms, digitisation, stronger audits, and transparency,Urban order, Enforcement of trade and traffic discipline for safer cities.SOE governance: Strengthening oversight and performance of state-owned enterprises.
Efficiency: Prioritising high-impact investments while cutting wasteful expenditure on public holidays, suspension of state-funded celebrations except religious holidays.
Pension reform: Implementation of a contributory pension fund for fiscal sustainability.Musasizi told Parliament that these measures are designed to restore public trust and ensure resources are directed toward Uganda’s most pressing needs.
