SEATINI joins Government and other Partners to launch the National Budget Month for FY 2024/25 

SEATINI joins Government and other Partners to launch the National Budget Month for FY 2024/25 

Bottom: From left Fourth ; Mr. Herbert Kafeero, Programs and Communications Manager, SEATINI Uganda, Ms. Sarah Kagingo Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors PSFU, Mr. Kagwa Moses Ag. Director,Economic Affairs, MoFPED. Top: From second Left Mr. John Musinguzi Rujoki, Commissioner-General URA, Dr. Munir Safieldon, UNICEF Uganda Country Representative, Hon. Anite Evelyn, the Minister of State for Investment and Privatization MoFPED, Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi the PSST of MoFPED and other distinguished heads of partner organisations pose for group photo to Launch the National Budget Month for FY 2024/25

Annually, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) together with other National Budget Month Partners including SEATINI Uganda Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) among others conduct a series of activities as part of the National Budget Month (NBM). Yesterday, (June 4th, 2024), SEATINI Uganda and other National Budget Month Partners launched the National Budget Month for FY 2024/25.

The main objective of Budget Month activities is to create awareness about government priorities and strategies for the FY 2024/25 and also provide accountability to the citizens on the key achievements for the current financial year.

SEATINI would like to appreciate Government and specifically the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for continuously engaging various key stakeholders including Civil Society Organizations under the National Budget Month initiative towards making the National Budget Work for the People. – Kafeero Herbert, Programs and Communications
Manager, SEATINI Uganda

At the launch, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury of Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi, highlighted the four government priorities for the financial year 2024/25. These include investing in Human Capital Development (Healthcare, education and water and sanitation). The second priority is maintaining peace and security, considered the backbone of all other initiatives. The third priority is revamping construction of the Standard Gauge railway and Meter Guage railway. The fourth priority involves investing in various wealth creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, credit facilities, Emyooga, youth support projects, supporting savings and credit co-operatives (SACCOs) and supporting large commercial farming. Additionally, the government plans to maintain existing infrastructure/roads, prioritise science and innovation, for instance Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).

Mr. Ramathan Ggoobi the PSST of MoFPED gives key note address

Mr. Ggoobi emphasized that the priorities are key growth drivers that will help grow the economy tenfold over the next 15 years, from $50 billion to $500 billion. These growth drivers include agro-industrialization, tourism development, mineral-based industrialization (including oil and gas), and a knowledge-based economy focused on science, technology, and innovation. “By implementing these initiatives, the government hopes to increase revenue collection, which is crucial for sustainable growth” he said. He also mentioned the ongoing efforts to control borrowing, particularly for projects that do not align with key priority areas, ensure efficient and effective use of revenue and using the budget month to get to the people.

He also committed to ensure full disclosure of what is in the budget, effective explanation in simple/local language of what the budget entails in all regions, account to the people of Uganda about government commitments and obtaining feedback from all citizen that will inform future policy decisions.

Mr. Ggoobi also pointed out that the month of June 2024 offers citizens the opportunity to understand that preparing a good budget is only the first step; effectively implementing it to achieve desired objectives is equally important. This requires active engagement from key stakeholders, effective monitoring, and oversight to ensure accountability with tangible results, not just results on paper.

Dr. Munir Safieldon, the UNICEF Uganda Country Representative, commended government’s deliberate efforts to prioritize the Open Budget Survey Score as a key indicator of budget transparency in the National Development Plan (III), which fosters better monitoring and accountability.

Representing the Civil Society, the Executive Director of CSBAG, Mr. Julius Mukunda, urged the government to inform Ugandans about the country’s economic situation. He encouraged political leaders to be honest with citizens and transparent about financial constraints. He explained that when citizens demand new infrastructure projects like roads or districts, they should be informed that such demands might necessitate borrowing due to limited funds.

Dr. Bainomugisha Arthur, the Executive Director- Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) warned against the frequent use of supplementary budgets, questioning their necessity given the extensive planning involved in the budget process at all levels and
Ministries Departments and agencies . While acknowledging that supplementary budgets are sometimes unavoidable, he emphasized that they should be minimized. He cited the example of the census, which takes ten years to prepare, questioning why it should require a supplementary budget.

Hon. Anite Evelyn, the Minister of State for Investment and Privatization, MoFPED makes closing remarks

Hon. Anite Evelyn, the Minister of State for Investment and Privatization, representing the Minister of Finance at the launch, urged Civil Society Organizations to intensify their efforts in combating corruption by publicly identifying corrupt officials in the government. She emphasized the importance of improving public service delivery and making Uganda a better country. She stressed that accounting officers in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies need to be transparent about the funds they receive from the treasury and how they are spent.

During the Budget Month, SEATINI Uganda, in collaboration with other National Budget Month Partners (including the Bank of Uganda, Uganda Revenue Authority, Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group, Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment, Public Sector Foundation Uganda, and Overseas Development Institute), will organize a series of activities aimed at increasing citizens’ understanding and participation of the budget process.