Uganda’s roadmap for development over the next five years faces a troubling gap between the proposed budget and the resources required to achieve its goals, according to the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG).
The National Development Plan IV (NDP IV), designed to propel Uganda toward sustainable socio-economic growth over the next five years, is encountering significant budgetary challenges.
These hurdles, as highlighted by the CSBAG, risk undermining Kampala’s strategic objectives unless immediate reforms are undertaken.
CSBAG executive director Julius Mukunda raised these concerns before the Parliamentary Budget Committee, chaired by Patrick Isiagi, on Wednesday.
For the 2025/26 fiscal year, the government allocated 57.4 trillion shillings (about US$15.4 billion), falling short of the 67.8 trillion required under the NDP IV.
“Starting NDP IV with such a significant deficit signals an early failure to achieve the desired outcomes,” Mukunda warned.
He specifically criticized the underfunding of key programs like the Area-Based Transformation Measures, a pillar of the growth plan, which received only 2.7 trillion shillings instead of the required 4.7 trillion.
Mukunda also pointed to inconsistencies in resource allocation.
While some essential programs remain underfunded, others – like sustainable urbanization and housing – received funding exceeding initial estimates.
This, he argued, reflected poor coordination among government agencies.
“Without proper alignment, we risk fragmented efforts that will derail NDP IV from its core objectives,” Mukunda stated.
Call for Structural Reforms
CSBAG has called for a more rigorous assessment of costs and improved coordination among agencies to ensure that every shilling spent directly contributes to the country’s transformation goals.
Mukunda also emphasized the need to revise the 2015 Public Finance Management Act, which he described as inadequate for the programmatic approach introduced by NDP IV.
Members of Parliament supported some of CSBAG’s proposals, including introducing penalties for districts that fail to comply with the NDP.
MP Faith Nakut endorsed this idea, suggesting it would motivate local administrations to align with national priorities.
For some lawmakers, NDP IV appears more like a collection of scattered projects than a comprehensive strategy.
Agnes Apea pointed out the lack of a coherent vision for infrastructure and connectivity, urging the plan to include better-defined and more integrated projects.
With a significant budget deficit, poorly aligned priorities, and an outdated legal framework, NDP IV risks falling short of its ambitious economic transformation goals.
According to CSBAG, the way forward involves realistic planning, strict resource allocation and enhanced accountability at all levels.
ARD/te/lb/jn/APA