The Ministry of Finance has kicked off regional consultative meetings with different Local Government leaders to discuss the implementation and priorities of the 2024/25 budget. 

This follows the launch of the 2024/25 budget strategy that outlines key priorities.  

While launching the strategy at the Kampala Serena Hotel on Thursday, September 14, finance minister Matia Kasaija said the 2024/25 budget will focus mainly on the country’s vision of shifting focus from raw materials to a manufacturing and knowledge-based economy with an overarching goal of accelerating economic growth to at least 7%. 

After highlighting the achievements of the 2023/24 budget, Kasaija informed the stakeholders that in order to further boost economic growth, the financial year 2024/25 budget will prioritise several key areas, including good governance, macroeconomic stability, household income enhancement, commercialisation of agriculture, and the development of vital sectors such as oil and gas, minerals, and tourism.  

Private sector support and investments in healthcare, education, water, and infrastructure are also central to the strategy. 

Focus on PDM 

Representing the Minister of Finance in Lira, commissioner Moses Kabanda appealed to the Local Government leaders to put more effort towards the implementation of the Parish Development Model which he said will help many households gain financial freedom. 

"I implore all of us to embrace efforts towards the implementation of the Parish Development Model," said Kabanda. 

He said the next budget will prioritise agriculture production and value addition, climate change and management of food security, implementation of parish development model, accelerated development of the mineral sector and consolidating infrastructure development to reduce the cost of doing business. 

The regional consultative workshops are intended to communicate the Government's budget strategy and priorities for the financial year 2024/25 and discuss investment opportunities to facilitate development growth strategies and budget implementation challenges affecting service delivery. 

The worship will also be providing indicative planning figures and grant programme guidelines to Local Governments to facilitate the preparation of the financial year 2024/25 budget. 

Kabanda informed the leaders that following the Government’s decision to undertake a special payroll audit, recruitment of staff was put on hold awaiting the outcome of the audit by the Auditor General. 

"Only recruitment on a replacement basis was permitted given that it is resource neutral. Guidance on new recruitment will be informed by the results of the audit," said Kabanda. 

The Civil Society Organisations statement delivered at the workshop by Jeff Wadulo recommended improvement of infrastructure for education and health, including provision of necessary equipment. 

However, he appealed to the Government to finalise the asset management policy among other recommendations. 

In Masaka, the State Minister for Microfinance, Haruna Kasolo asked the Local Government leaders to pay keen attention to government programmes and support the successful implementation of the Parish Development Model which he said was a game changer in the quest for socio-economic transformation.