Finance Minister Matia Kasaija will formally read the budget for FY 2024/25 in June
Parliament last Thursday approved the Shs72.13 trillion budget for Financial Year 2024/2025, up from Shs52.736 trillion budget in FY 2023/24.
The theme for FY 2024/25 remains “Full monetization of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation and Market Access.”
According to Parliament’s Budget Committee Report, the overall goal of the Budget Strategy for FY 2024/25 is to accelerate economic growth to at least 7%, from a raw-materials-based economy to a manufacturing and knowledge-based economy; as well as improve the environment of doing business in Uganda and making it competitive.
It should be noted that Government designed a new strategy to grow the economy ten fold from the current base of USD 49.5 billion in FY 2023/24 to USD 500 billion in the next 15 years. The report notes that over the past decade (2012/13-2022/23), Uganda’s economic growth has averaged 4.7% per annum, which is lower than the average growth of 7.3% in the previous decade (2001/02-2011/12).
The resource envelop for the next financial year which amounts to Shs72.13 trillion is broken down as follows: Domestic Revenues (Tax/ Non-Tax Revenue)- Shs32.38 trillion; Budget Support (Grants and loans)- Shs1.39 trillion; Domestic Financing (Domestic Borrowing)- Shs8.96 trillion; Domestic Debt Refinancing (Rollover)-Shs19.8 trillion and Project Support (Grants and Loans)-9.58 trillion.
According to the report, from the above resource envelop, the following commitments take a first expenditure call: External Debt Repayments -Shs3.149 Trillion; Project Support (Loans/Grants)-Shs9.583 Trillion; Domestic Refinancing-Shs12.021trillion; Interest Payments -Shs9.064 trillion; Appropriation in Aid (LG) – Shs293.9bn; BoU Recapitalization-Shs 603 billion; Domestic Arrears-Shs200 billion and Domestic Debt Payment (BoU)-Shs 9.1 trillion.
According to Government, below are the key budget priorities fir FY 2024/25;
Boosting Household Incomes and Micro Enterprises
In order to boost household incomes as well as the development of micro enterprises, Government has allocated Shs1.077 Trillion towards Parish Development Model (financial inclusion pillar); Shs100 billion to Emgooga SACCOs – of which Shs20bn are for teachers SACCOs.
The Microfinance Support Center Limited has been allocated Shs50.07bn of which Shs30bn is for onward lending and in order to enhance women participation in development Shs13.O56bn has been allocated to the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) as a revolving fund.
Additionally, Shs342.23bn has been earmarked for enhancing growth and productivity opportunities for women enterprises (GROW).
Shs3bn has been allocated to Jua-kali Enterprises to transition into Formal Economy and Shs5bn as Enterprise Funds for Older Persons.
Shs121.218bn has been allocated towards Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) and Shs13.2bn for Special grants for Persons with Disability and Shs8.7bn has been allocated towards the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP).
Industrialization and Private Sector Development
Under this, Shs174.99bn has been set aside for SMEs in the manufacturing and export sectors through the Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment (INVITE) programme and Shs155.6bn for infrastructure development of industrial Parks.
Shs50bn has also been set aside for capitalization of the Agriculture Credit facility to support farmers but mainly agro processors that focus on value addition; and Shs85.92bn for capitalization of Uganda Development Bank.
This will support the entire agriculture ecosystem, the private sector players to increase the stock and quality of tourism facilities, financing of the local production of essential goods as a precursor to achieving import substitution, among others.
Government has also allocated Shs151.27bn towards the Resource Enhancement and Accountability Programme (REAP), with the objective of increasing resource mobilisation, improve planning and public investment management, and strengthen accountability for quality, effective and efficient service delivery.
Commercializing Agriculture
Under agriculture, Shs24.43bn has been allocated to NAGRC&DB for breeding, production, multiplication and availing animal seed and poultry to farmers countrywide.
Shs13.11bn has also been allocated to NAGRC&DB for animal feed production on Government ranches and farms.
NARO has been allocated Shs60bn for innovations for management and control of livestock diseases, vectors and parasites (Roll-out of anti-vaccine). An additional Shs24.1bn has been allocated to NARO for research products and services suited for food, feed, market and Industry.
NARO has also been allocated Shs11.39bn to develop requisite research infrastructure to support development of products for food, nutrition and industry to accelerate Agricultural Transformation Agenda.
Shs24.88bn has been allocated to MAAIF to support to production, marketing and extension of oil palm in Buvuma, Mayuge and Kalangala district.
MAAIF has also been allocated Shs72.65bn towards supporting oilseeds research, multiplication and agronomy in the oil seed growing districts.
Shs30bn has been set aside (MAAIF) to support the certification and production of seeds, breeds and fingerlings to ensure seed quality including provision of machinery, laboratory, and irrigation equipment for seed testing and evaluation.
Shs14. 18bn has been set aside to establish and/ or upgrade seed storage, threshing and drying facilities to ensure sustainable supply of quality seed (storage, drying, cleaning, grading, packaging, branding), while Shs18.52bn has been allocated to MAAIF for the purchase of assorted animal vaccines, tick acaricides, vaccine cold chain equipment and assorted laboratory reagents, consumables and supplies for control for animal diseases.
MAAIF will also receive Shs32.4bn to construct disease diagnostic and analytical infrastructure for quality assurance (National Agricultural Diagnostics Laboratory & Support Centre, Zonal research laboratories and compliance centres, National Veterinary Medical Stores).
MAAIF will also receive an additional Shs21bn to revamp the National Animal Quarantine and evaluation centre (at NAGRC&DB, Entebbe) to promote exports and safe guard the national herd in case of animal imports.
Shs70bn has also been allocated to MAAIF to construct and equip zonal agricultural mechanization centres, while Shs23.04bn has been set aside for the procurement of tractors, matching implements (planters, hullers, harrow, trailer, ploughs, rippers, rotavator), walking tractors and assorted equipment and machinery units.
MAAIF will also get Shs97.5bn for the provision of bulk water supply for agriculture production to support irrigation, water for livestock and aquaculture.
Shs56.02bn has also been allocated to MAAIF for the construction of Acomai irrigation scheme, while Shs30.42bn has been set aside for the construction of Atari Irrigation scheme to support rice production.
MAAIF will also get Shs134bn to construct/improve zonal aquaculture indoor hatchery and cage culture facilities for massive fingerling production, construct seed multiplication
infrastructure / facilities (screen houses, basic laboratories, nurseries) for selected value chains, Refurbishment of the National Aquaculture Brood stock Hatchery, Refurbish feed facilities for formulating feed at Aquaculture Research and Development Centre Kajjansi, Establish and/or upgrade seed storage, threshing and drying facilities to ensure sustainable supply of quality seed (storage, drying, cleaning, grading packaging, branding).
Transport infrastructure
Shs2.221 trillion has been set aside to start construction of SGR and continue implementing preparatory activities for SGR, while Shs3bn has been allocated for the maintenance of 13 Aerodromes i.e Arua, Gulu, Paluba, Mansidi, Lira, Kidepo, Moroto, Soroti, Tororo, Jinja, Mbarara, Kasese, and Kisoro.
Shs1.27 trillion has been set aside for the construction and upgrade of national roads and bridges, while Shs185.6bn has been set aside for the continuation of rehabilitation of over 450 km of national roads.
Shs142.3bn has been allocated for the rehabilitation of District, Urban and Community access roads (DUCAR) under the Ministry of Works and Transport, while Shs1 billion has been allocated to each District, City and Municipality for road grading, murram and compacting. In total, Shs176 billion has been allocated for this purpose.
Shs11.8bn has been allocated for the construction and development of ferries, while Shs592.O8bn has been allocated to address flooding, traffic congestion, poor road infrastructure, un-signalized junctions, provision of street lighting and storm water drainage enhancements in Kampala.
Tourism Development
Shs11.29bn has been allocated for the Mt. Rwenzori Tourism infrastructure which includes improving the existing trails and establishing shorter ones, improving the existing bridges taking into consideration of the flush floods, providing more eco-friendly accommodation facilities, improving safety of tourists by establishing rest points along the trails, among others.
Shs8.24bn has been set aside for the development of Museums and Heritage Sites for Cultural Tourism, while Shs12.77bn has been allocated for the development of Source of the Nile tourism infrastructure that includes construction of modern piers, docking places for boats, and other amenities.
Human capital development
Under health services, Shs702.79bn has been allocated for Global Fund for TB, AIDS and Malaria; Shs349.68bn – GAVI Vaccines and Health Sector Development; Shs57.8bn – towards Uganda COVID Response and Emergency Preparedness; Shs57.4bn for construction and equipping of the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI); Shs38.56bn towards infrastructure development at Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI); Shs20.05bn towards rehabilitation and construction of General Hospitals; Shs12.7bn for establishment of Regional Oncolory and Diagnostic Centers in Arua, Mbale and Mbarara; Shs569bn for essential medicines and health supplies for all Health
Centers, General Hospitals, Regional Referral Hospitals and National Referral Hospitals.
Shs29.93bn has been allocated for specialized medicines, reagents, sundries, Servicing and maintenance of equipment at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
In addition, Shs10.04bn has been allocated for completion of the 150 staff housing units and Shs26.35bn for local Government Primary Health Care services.
Education
Shs4bn has been allocated towards grant aiding of 38 primary schools and Shs11.28bn for grant aiding 46 Secondary Schools; Shs14.3bn towards renovation and expansion of facilities in 36 Secondary schools; Shs27.52bn towards the Higher Education Students Financing Board for new cohort of about 1,200 students for FY 2024 /25 and to support about 3,500 continuing students.
Shs20.9bn has been set aside towards teacher Education and training inclusive of setting up and operationalizing Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) and Establishment of the National Teacher Council.
Shs16.94bn has been set aside towards physical education and Sports for support to primary, secondary and other education institutions and Shs4.9bn has been allocated for procurement of instructional materials for Lower Secondary Curriculum for 8 core subjects of S.1 and 2.
Shs362bn has been allocated towards the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP) for construction of 60 seed schools in sub-counties without secondary school and expansion of 61 existing government secondary schools with special consideration of refugee hosting districts and transfer to UNEB to facilitate equating of student Refugee Results.
Shs28.43bn has been set aside towards TVET Trainers’ Research and Innovation for Training,while Shs48bn has been allocated for National Council of Sports to support federations especially in regards to International Competitions.
Digital Transformation
Shs113.71n has been allocated to the Government Network (GovNet) project towards expanding the digital infrastructure outreach, strengthening digital infrastructure complements, mainstreaming digital services in priority sectors, among others.
Energy, Oil and Gas Development
Shs668.273bn has been allocated towards midstream petroleum infrastructure development, while Shs530.99bn has been s et aside for the Electricity Access Scale Up Project (EASP).
Shs241.73bn has been set aside towards Karuma Hydroelectric Power Project; Shs126.08bn towards enhancing power supply to industrial parks and power transmission line extensions; Shs93.75bn towards enhanced rural electrification and connectivity across the country.
Water supply and sanitation
Shs315.02bn has been allocated towards Integrated Water Resources Management. These funds are intended to enhance water supply and sanitation in large towns, small towns and rural growth centers, and support catchment management and restoration including soil and water conservations, river bank protection and restoration, among others.
Shs161.7bn has been allocated towards the development of Solar Powered Irrigation and Water Supply Systems across the country. This is intended to enhance water supply coverage countrywide, as well as provide Water to support irrigation, while utilizing solar energy to motorize the water supply.
Shs113.47bn has been allocated (Irrigation for Climate Resilience Project) towards providing farmers with access to irrigation water, supporting farmers carrying out on-farm irrigation, accessing production and value addition knowledge and skills.
Shs104.09bn has been allocated towards enhancing safe water supply in rural areas and improved sanitation facilities across the country.
Minerals
In order for Uganda to reap the benefits of minerals resource, Uganda’s mineral deposits will be quantified to ascertain their value before beneficiation. For the development of Minerals, Shs41.5bn has been allocated.
