Kampala – The government has announced a major shift in public expenditure policy, revealing that it will no longer finance large-scale celebrations for most national holidays beginning in the 2026/27 financial year.
The decision was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Dr.
Ramathan Ggoobi, as part of broader efforts to streamline government spending and redirect resources toward key development priorities.
Under the new arrangement, public funds will no longer be allocated to organize national celebrations such as Independence Day, International Women’s Day, Labour Day, and several other commemorative events.
Only a limited number of religious functions will continue receiving government support.
Instead of presiding over costly public gatherings, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will address the nation through radio and television broadcasts from State House, significantly reducing the costs associated with organizing national events.
According to Dr.
Ggoobi, the savings generated from the policy will be redirected to priority sectors under the government’s “ATMS and Enablers” strategy, which focuses on agro-industrialization, tourism development, mineral exploitation, science, technology, innovation, and critical infrastructure necessary to achieve Uganda’s ambitious tenfold economic growth agenda.
The announcement, made through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, forms part of wider fiscal consolidation measures aimed at improving efficiency in public spending and ensuring greater value for taxpayers’ money.
Previous government budgets reportedly allocated hundreds of millions of shillings to organize major national celebrations annually.
Officials believe....
