CSOs commends govt on setting realistic budget

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Civil society organisations (CSOs) have lauded the Government for what they are calling prudence and commended the finance ministry for setting a realistic budget.

Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) executive director, Julius Mukunda, says the Government has set a realistic budget after slashing it from sh72.1 trillion to sh57.4 trillion, which according to him, is cutting the cloth by its size.

Mukunda has also lauded the Government’s reduced reliance on external funding, which he believes is a timely move considering US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy has left a dent in Uganda’s economy.

He made the remarks on February 13, 2025, at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala during a CSO pre-budget dialogue for Financial Year (FY) 2025/26.

As a result of this, Mukunda said the Government expects to collect sh33.682 trillion from sh31.981 trillion, which will finance up to 58% of the proposed budget.

“It is commendable that the Government has reduced domestic borrowing for FY2025/26 as well as maintaining the freeze on the purchase of new vehicles except ambulances, security, agriculture, extension services and revenue mobilisation,” Mukunda said.

Julius Mukunda the Executive Director of Civil Society Budgeting Advocacy Group (CSBAG) addressing during the Civil Society Organisations pre-budget dialogue for the financial year 2025-2026 at Imperial Royale hotel Kampala on February 13, 2025. (Photo by Lawrence Mulondo).

The CSOs, including the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER), Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), Food Rights Alliance (FRA) and the World Vision united to organise this annual event, which preludes the budget reading of each particular year.

Over 140 dignitaries representing the Government, civil society as well as the media fraternity attended the conference. A variety of districts were represented, including Nebbi, Arua, Terego, Yumbe and Namayingo among others.

The event was organised under the theme: Making the Budget Work for the People: Prioritising Expenditure for Inclusive Growth.

Other organisations in attendance were Right2Grow, the Hunger Project, Brac and Oxfam which teamed up to finance the event.

FRA executive director, Agnes Kirabo, said if the budget breeds power imbalances, then it has not spoken to the concerns of political scientists.

“If it does not give us the results that people want to see then it has not done us justice,” Kirabo stated.

She said the budget for FY 2025/26 is “very critical because it is concluding ekisanja”.

In a separate session, Donny Silus Ndazima, a policy and research specialist at the World Vision commended the Government for its strong stance on combating child abuse.

“A recent assessment found out that teenage pregnancy contributes 20% and 30% of infant deaths and maternal deaths, but the Government has come out strongly to protect children against sexual violence,” he said.

The government was represented by finance ministry official David Okwii, a senior economist, whose keynote address focused on key priorities and strategies for financing the Government Budget for FY 2025/26. He represented the director budget, Hannington Ashaba.

A panel discussion consisting of MoFPED’s Okwii, ISER’s executive director, Angella Kasule Nabwowe and Thadeus Musoke Nagenda the chairperson of Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA).

The three-person panel moderated by broadcaster Chris Higenyi who was the master of ceremony (MC) explored a range of topics such as the role of the private sector in achieving the 10-year fold growth strategy.

Other topics the panel discussed included; strengthening Domestic Resource Mobilization: Innovative Approaches to expand Uganda’s Revenue Base while ensuring fiscal sustainability amid rising debt obligations.