Buganda unveils sh409.3b budget to drive development

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Buganda kingdom has approved a sh409.3 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, with a strong focus on improving service delivery and accelerating development programmes across the kingdom.

The budget, passed during the Great Buganda Lukiiko sitting at Bulange, Mengo, on July 6, 2026, represents a 34% increase from the sh305.5 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year.

The kingdom's finance, economic planning and investments minister, Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, presented the budget before the Lukiiko, which was presided over by speaker Patrick Mugumbule.

The budget is themed "Raising the Standard (Situla Omutindo): Elevating Productivity and Professionalism for Prosperity in Buganda."

According to Nsibirwa, the kingdom expects to raise revenue from several key sources, including sh34.5 billion in government arrears, sh88.6 billion from cooperatives, sh20 billion from industries, sh48 billion from development partners, sh28.1 billion from educational institutions, sh36.6 billion from land management, sh133.5 billion from investors, sh4.25 billion from sports, sh9.9 billion from Majestic Brands, and sh16.4 billion from Mwanyi Terimba Ltd.

Buganda Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga speaking at the Great Buganda Lukiiko sitting at Bulange, Mengo, on July 6, 2026. (Credit: Dickson Kulumba)

The kingdom's projected expenditure stands at sh409.1 billion, with agriculture and cooperatives allocated sh87.1 billion, economic development and investments sh92.4 billion, the Royal Treasury (Nkuluze) sh26.6 billion, education promotion sh28.2 billion, and health sh6.1 billion.

Government commended 

Nsibirwa, who also serves as the Second Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda, said the kingdom had surpassed its revenue target for the 2025/26 financial year.

“We had estimated to get sh305 billion, but by the end of the financial year it had reached sh320 billion, marking a 4.9% increase. I thank the central government for endeavouring to pay the kingdom money to the tune of sh38 billion in the last financial year,” said Nsibirwa.

He appealed to the central government to continue settling all outstanding arrears owed to the kingdom to enable the Kabaka to implement more development programmes.

Education, health and agriculture

In the education sector, the kingdom plans to construct an iconic building at Muteesa I Royal University, begin preparations for three secondary schools that will implement the Competency-Based Curriculum, and improve Kasawo Institute of Business and Technical Education in Namaliri, Mukono district.

The kingdom is also preparing to open Nyenga-Njeru Hospital in Kyaggwe County and Mukungwe Hospital in Masaka, Buddu County, both of which have been under construction.

“This year we intend to take forward the mass campaign in the fight against HIV/AIDS. For health camps, we are going to partner with the Association of Surgeons of Uganda to operate about 3600 patients in the entire kingdom,” noted Nsibirwa.

He added that the kingdom, working with Rotary, is procuring a mobile hospital boat to provide health services to island communities in Kalangala and Buvuma districts.

Agriculture remains a major priority, with the kingdom planning to establish a fruit processing factory in Bulemeezi County.

Preparations will also begin for the Buganda Agricultural Industrial and Exhibition Park at Jezza in Mawokota, Mpigi district, while awareness campaigns will be intensified to encourage farmers to embrace agricultural insurance.

Following the establishment of the first agro-input supermarket in Buweekula last year, the kingdom plans to roll out similar facilities across other counties to improve farmers' access to quality agricultural inputs.

The kingdom also plans to establish the Buganda Data Vault (BDV), which will serve as a central repository for the kingdom's records, statistics and official documents.

In sports, the kingdom and its partner, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), are expected to begin construction of Buddu Stadium in Masaka city, with the foundation stone scheduled to be laid later this month.

Mayiga appeals to government

Buganda Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga expressed concern over the country's political and security environment, warning that it could discourage foreign investment.

Buganda Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga. (Credit: Dickson Kulumba)

“Therefore, I implore the central government to make sure that the country is run according to the rule of law. Let the one who committed a crime be taken to police. If someone has committed a crime, let them be arrested according to the stipulated laws; let them be arrested during daytime, but not be abducted as we hear nowadays," said Mayiga.

Mayiga also briefed Lukiiko members on preparations for the 33rd coronation anniversary of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, which will be held at Watoto Church, Bweyogerere, Kyadondo.

The sitting was attended by several central government ministers, including the Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, the State Minister for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa Migadde, and the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi.

Religious leaders present included the Archbishop of the Uganda Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Jeronymos Muzeeyi, the Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, and Supreme Mufti Sheikh Mohammad Galabuzi.

Also in attendance were clan heads led by Augustine Kizito Mutumba and members of the royal family, including Prince David Kintu Wasajja and Princess Christine Nabanakulya.