Uganda: State House Seeks Shs480bn Budget, Flags Pressure From Presidential Donations

By Sam Ibanda Mugabi

State House has presented a Shs481.2 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, citing rising and often unpredictable demands, including increasing requests for presidential donations that officials say are straining resources.

Appearing before Parliament's Presidential Affairs Committee, State House Controller Jane Barekye said the institution is facing "unforeseen demands," some of them classified, which could require supplementary funding during the financial year.

"We are facing increasing donation requests from the President, which are straining our resources," Barekye said.

The proposed budget includes Shs44.4 billion for wages, Shs409 billion for non-wage expenditure, and Shs27.7 billion for development.

Key allocations include Shs6.7 billion for staff salary enhancements, Shs38 billion for a creative arts facility, and Shs3.6 billion for gratuities.

Despite the proposed spending, officials flagged significant funding gaps, including Shs50 billion for community outreach, Shs3 billion for poverty reduction initiatives, and Shs9.1 billion for regional integration.

Committee members raised concerns about the operations of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, questioning whether its work duplicates the mandate of existing government agencies.

"We have concerns about the operations of the anti-corruption unit at State House," one committee member said.

Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda and Barekye also faced scrutiny over delays in fulfilling presidential pledges, with legislators questioning the prioritisation of expenditure within the State House budget.

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