“The Q3 release aligns with our efforts to reallocate resources from old priorities to key growth drivers. Our focus remains on promoting technical efficiency and ensuring service delivery at the lowest cost,” said Ggoobi.
Goobi addressing the media
The
Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development has announced the
release of UGX 15.64 trillion for the third quarter of the Financial Year
2024/25. This funding, covering the period from January to March 2025,
represents 21.68 percent of the approved annual budget and aims to support
critical government priorities, including wages, pensions, gratuities,
development projects, and other recurring expenditures.
According
to the release document, UGX 2.044 trillion has been allocated for wages and
salaries across all government institutions, while UGX 128 billion has been
designated for pensions and gratuities to ensure timely payments to retirees.
Ramathan Goobi, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) stated, “The Ministry is committed to meeting its financial obligations, and
Accounting Officers are hereby directed to ensure that salaries, pensions, and gratuities
are paid by the 28th of every month.”
Local governments received UGX 308.75 billion to support various initiatives, including UGX 112.28 billion for education capitation grants for the first term of the school year and UGX 36.6 billion for health institutions. The
government has prioritized wealth creation through key funds, allocating UGX
100 billion for the Parish Development Model (PDM), UGX 30 billion to the
Uganda Development Bank, and UGX 31 billion to the Uganda Development
Corporation.
“These funds aim to bolster economic growth, support small-scale
enterprises, and enhance industrialization.”
Operational
funding for public universities and institutions, such as the Uganda Management
Institute and the Law Development Centre, totals UGX 92.75 billion.
Additionally, the Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) program under
the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development received UGX 45.77
billion to support vulnerable groups across the country.
The
health sector remains a priority, with UGX 75.65 billion allocated to the
National Medical Stores (NMS) for purchasing essential drugs and medical
supplies, bringing the cumulative release to NMS to 85 percent of its approved
budget. Additional funds have been allocated for specialized institutions,
including UGX 35.9 billion for referral hospitals, UGX 6.84 billion for the
Uganda Cancer Institute, UGX 7.52 billion for the Uganda Heart Institute, and
UGX 5.78 billion for Uganda Blood Transfusion Services.
In
the security docket, funding has been provided to maintain stability and
improve infrastructure: UGX 41.3 billion for the Ministry of Defence and
Veteran Affairs, UGX 83.38 billion for the Uganda Police Force, and UGX 40.11
billion for the Uganda Prisons Services. On
the infrastructure front, the Ministry of Works and Transport has received UGX 150.55 billion to advance key projects, including the Standard
Gauge Railway, Meter Gauge Railway, Kabalega International Airport, and Bukasa
Port.
Additionally, UGX 68.34 billion has been allocated to the Ministry of
Energy and Mineral Development to support rural electrification and mineral
development.
The
development budget for the quarter stands at UGX 3.314 trillion, targeting
agro-industrialization, tourism development, and science, technology, and
innovation.
Specific allocations include UGX 52.3 billion for agricultural
initiatives under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries;
UGX 4.66 billion for the Source of the Nile tourism project; and UGX 40.92
billion for ICT and innovation projects.
Other
significant allocations encompass UGX 112.71 billion for health projects, UGX
53.45 billion for education expansion endeavors, and UGX 67.64 billion for
upgrading health and education infrastructure in local governments.
The
PSST also emphasized the government's commitment to fiscal discipline and
efficiency, prioritizing timely payments by accounting officers, avoiding
commitments of funds beyond allocated budgets, and ensuring all financial decisions
align with approved work plans.
“The
Q3 release aligns with our efforts to reallocate resources from old priorities
to key growth drivers. Our focus remains on promoting technical efficiency and
ensuring service delivery at the lowest cost,” said Ggoobi. To enhance
transparency, Ggoobi encouraged citizens and stakeholders to access detailed
budget information through the Ministry’s website and the Budget Call Centre.