Parliament has approved Uganda’s national budget estimates for the 2025/2026 financial year, amounting to shillings 72.376 trillion, with infrastructure, social welfare and enterprise development taking centre stage.
The Vice Chairperson of the Budget Committee, Remigio Achia, presented the highlights of the allocations before the House adopted the estimates.
Among the key items, the Parish Development Model has been allocated Shillings 1.07 trillion, while Shillings 3 billion will support the Emyooga initiative.
An additional Shillings 3 billion has been earmarked for the Jua Kali enterprise sector, with the Uganda Development Bank receiving shillings 414 billion to boost affordable financing for businesses.
Lawmakers also welcomed a substantial rise in allocations for domestic arrears, pumping from shillings 200 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year to shillings 1.4 trillion.
Other critical allocations include shillings 80 billion for cattle compensation in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions, shillings 1.17 trillion for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, and shillings 2.2 trillion for the upgrade and rehabilitation of national roads and bridges.
However, debate flared among Members of Parliament over the budget’s continued allocation to Lubowa International Hospital.
The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, questioned why funds were still being channeled to the controversial project, which has drawn criticism for lack of transparency and progress. ENDS