Parliament has approved a Shs 1.1 trillion supplementary expenditure schedule.
In a decisive move on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the Parliament of Uganda approved a massive Shs 1.1 trillion supplementary expenditure schedule. This late-stage injection into the 2025/2026 financial year budget comes as the country prepares for a series of historic milestones, ranging from the presidential inauguration to the ambitious goal of co-hosting the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
While the government describes the funds as vital for national stability and development, the “emergency” nature of the request—filed just weeks before the next national budget speech—has sparked a fierce debate over fiscal discipline and the transparency of public spending.
The Big Three: Where the Money is Going
The supplementary budget, officially titled Schedule No. 5, is distributed across several critical sectors. According to the Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, the funds are prioritized as follows:
1. 2027 AFCON Preparations (Shs 29.5 Billion)
Uganda is currently in a race against time to meet the stringent standards set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This latest allocation is intended to jumpstart urgent infrastructure works, including:
- Stadium Upgrades: Pitch improvements at Kadiba Football Stadium and ongoing works at venues in Hoima and Masindi.
- Infrastructure & Sanitation: Road safety interventions and sanitation projects in Hoima City and Masindi Municipality to support the influx of tourists.
- Host City Branding: Content production and marketing to position Uganda as a premier sports destination.
2. Local Council Elections (Shs 56.9 Billion)
A significant portion of the budget is dedicated to the long-awaited LC I, LC II, and Women Council Committee elections. Parliamentarians argued that these elections are the “bedrock of democracy,” and delaying them further would leave administrative gaps at the village level. The funds will cover the logistics of nationwide polling, ensuring that the lowest units of administration have elected leadership.
3. Government Wages & Public Service (Shs 107.5 Billion)
To address chronic shortfalls, over Shs 107 billion has been earmarked for wages, pensions, and gratuities. This includes:
- Healthcare Recruitment: Shs 40.2 billion to recruit health workers for 19 referral hospitals.
- Education: Shs 23.2 billion in counterpart funding to operationalize newly constructed schools under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) program.
The “Foreseeable” Controversy
The approval process was not without friction. To fast-track the funds, Parliament took the unusual step of suspending Rule 160, which typically requires a supplementary request to undergo rigorous scrutiny by the Budget Committee.
Opposition figures, led by Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (FDC, Kira Municipality) and Hon. Medard Ssegonna (DP, Busiro County East), slammed the government for labeling these items as “unforeseen” emergencies.
“How does a minister tell us that we need a supplementary less than a month before the budget speech for things we knew were coming? The swearing-in of a President is not a surprise event,” Ssegonna remarked during the plenary session.
Minister Musasizi defended the request, arguing that while the events were foreseen, the actual costs had escalated significantly since the original budget was passed, making the additional Shs 1.1 trillion an “unavoidable” necessity.
Financial Breakdown & Funding Sources
The Shs 1.105 trillion will be sourced through a mix of internal reallocations and external support:
| Funding Source | Amount (Approx.) |
| Budget Reallocation Efficiency | Shs 985.8 Billion |
| External Financing (World Bank) | Shs 72.9 Billion |
| Internal Budget Reallocations | Shs 40.2 Billion |
| Non-Tax/Local Revenue | Shs 6.2 Billion |
A notable portion of the external funding comes from the World Bank to support the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) project, highlighting a continued focus on economic empowerment despite the fiscal strain.
A High-Stakes Balancing Act
As Uganda closes the 2025/2026 financial year, this Shs 1.1 trillion injection represents a high-stakes bet on the country’s future. Between ensuring the smooth transition of power at the inauguration on May 12 and building the physical foundations for AFCON 2027, the government is moving at breakneck speed.
However, with national debt remains a growing concern, the success of this expenditure will be judged not by how quickly the money is spent, but by the quality of the stadiums built, the fairness of the local elections held, and the reliability of the salaries paid to the nation’s civil servants.
