In preparation for the 2025/2026 financial year, the Ministry of Finance has initiated a series of consultative meetings with district and municipal leaders to gather input on national budget priorities.
These discussions, held in line with Section 13 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015, are aimed at shaping the government's financial planning by incorporating local concerns.
At a recent meeting in Masaka, representatives from six districts--Mukono, Kayunga, Buvuma, Buikwe, Kalangala, and Rakai--along with officials from Mukono and Njeru municipalities, highlighted key issues facing their regions, particularly in education, public services, and government program implementation.
Challenges in island districts
A pressing concern raised by island district leaders, particularly from Buvuma and Kalangala, was the low pay for district labour officers and the logistical difficulties of working in remote areas.
Issa Mbooge, Chief Administrative Officer for Buvuma District, lamented the lack of financial support to aid government program monitoring.
"We are struggling due to the poor transport network and limited resources. The challenging terrain, especially travelling on water, hampers proper service delivery," Mbooge explained.
Kalangala District's Chief Administrative Officer, Fredrick Ssemwogerere, echoed similar frustrations regarding the education sector, particularly the absence of dormitory facilities.
He emphasized that students in island districts face long commutes, often by boat, to access schools, discouraging many parents from sending their children.
"The government's refusal to set up dormitories in its schools means students have to travel great distances daily, which impacts their education and limits school enrolment," Ssemwogerere added.
He urged the government to amend policies on seed schools to permit boarding facilities in remote areas.
State Minister for Microfinance, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, who presided over the meeting, stressed the need for a culture of hard work to boost the country's revenue base and reduce dependency on foreign borrowing.
"We cannot continue financing our development through borrowing. Ugandans must work harder and contribute through taxes to build a self-reliant economy," he said.
Addressing concerns about underfunding for new cities, Minister Kasolo clarified that the government is holding off on allocating additional funds until the current cities demonstrate significant development progress.
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The Parish Development Model (PDM) also came under scrutiny, with leaders, particularly from Buvuma, reporting challenges in its implementation.
A major issue highlighted was the lack of proper identification for many beneficiaries, which impedes progress tracking.
Minister Kasolo directed the Ministry of Finance staff to immediately address the issues in Buvuma to ensure the PDM's success.
The meeting also brought attention to the government's management of the education sector in rural and island areas. Local leaders criticized inadequate staffing and insufficient funding, particularly under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program.
They called for increased investment in the education sector to improve learning conditions.
As these consultative meetings continue, the Ministry of Finance will compile recommendations from various districts ahead of the FY 2025/2026 budget.
The government faces mounting pressure to address the critical issues in island districts and improve the delivery of its key programs.
