Musasizi calls for stronger budget credibility and fiscal discipline 

Finance Minister Henry Musasizi has called for strengthened budget credibility, fiscal discipline, and value for money in the management of Uganda’s public resources.

Musasizi made the call during a meeting with staff from the Budget Directorate at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, where discussions focused on improving the planning, preparation and implementation of Uganda’s National Budget.

The meeting was attended by the Budget Directorate team led by Acting Director Budget Hannington Ashaba.

The Minister said protecting budget credibility remains one of his key priorities, emphasising that government resources must be allocated according to approved plans and national development priorities.

He urged officials to promote discipline in public spending by thoroughly assessing expenditure needs before committing public funds, noting that the budget must deliver measurable results to citizens.

Musasizi also called for faster and more efficient government operations while maintaining proper procedures and controls under public financial management systems.

He highlighted the need to strengthen the process of issuing Certificates of Financial Implication, saying they should be based on clear and realistic assumptions for proposed policies and programmes.

The Minister further stressed the importance of public ownership of the budget process and timely submission of information by government institutions to support credible and timely budget preparation.

Meanwhile, Ashaba outlined the Budget Directorate’s priorities, including protecting budget credibility, safeguarding fiscal space, strengthening public investment discipline, and improving the link between planning, budgeting and results.

He reaffirmed the Directorate’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s ambition of becoming a $500 billion economy by prioritising resources towards financial inclusion, ATMs, and other key economic enablers.