State House seeks additional sh53b for President's mobilisation, donations

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State House is urgently seeking an additional sh53 billion to bridge a critical funding gap in its budget for the 2026/27 Financial Year.

This is contained in the entity’s Ministerial Policy Statement for the 2026/27 Financial Year, submitted on March 31, 2026, by officials led by the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda.

The officials were appearing before the House Committee on Presidential Affairs, chaired by Isingiro South MP Alex Bakunda Byarugaba.

Others present included State House Comptroller Jane Barekye, Dr Warren Namara, director of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, and Israel Ochwo, deputy head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit.

A significant portion of the deficit, sh50 billion, has been attributed to the increasing demand for donations.

Documents further indicate that a large share of the requested funds is intended to facilitate President Yoweri Museveni and the Vice President in community outreach activities.

These include providing donations to individuals and groups, attending 130 community functions, and paying school fees for 3,200 State House-sponsored students.

Currently, only sh86.9 billion has been allocated for these activities.

Mobilisation activities

Meanwhile, sh80.7 billion has been allocated to facilitate engagements between President Museveni and the Vice President with 80 delegations across the country. However, an additional sh3 billion is required to support inland travel for the two principals.

Procurement of security equipment

State House is also facing a funding gap of sh13.468 billion for the procurement of security equipment, which assistant commissioner for planning at State House, Immaculate Naamala, said is necessary in light of evolving security challenges.

The shortfall comes despite an indicative allocation of sh27.7 billion to support obligations such as the maintenance of Nakasero State Lodge and 26 upcountry State lodges, the ongoing refurbishment of State House Entebbe, the procurement of 30 vehicles, and the annual maintenance of the presidential jet and helicopter.

“The security situation keeps changing and upgrading itself,” Naamala argued.

MPs react

Overall, State House has a proposed budget of sh481.186 billion, down from the approved allocation of sh508.583 billion.

However, Rushenyi County MP Naome Kabasharira argued that priority should be given to fulfilling existing presidential pledges before seeking additional funding. She cited two churches in her constituency whose roofing projects have stalled.

“If I cannot benefit from what I have given you. Why do you want me to give you more? You also first give, then I give you. And I know calling you becomes a problem, then I become a beggar. We don’t want to become beggars…you are here talking nicely, but after here, it becomes another story,” Kabasharira stated.

Barekye, however, pledged to address the concerns once furnished with details of the pledges.

“Please, madam, let it not be a point of conflict,” she implored.