Uganda’s Parliament has given the green light to a massive Shs4.86 trillion supplementary budget to cover unexpected government expenditures from the 2023/2024 financial year. The approval came during a Thursday plenary session on May 15, 2025, with Speaker Anita Among presiding over the historic vote that will see billions pumped into critical sectors ranging from presidential operations to local government services.

The Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2025 formalizes spending that had already occurred under three separate supplementary schedules during the last fiscal year. Deputy Budget Committee Chairperson Remigio Achia explained to lawmakers that these funds were necessary to address urgent needs that couldn’t have been predicted when the original budget was passed. “These allocations comply fully with our Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act,” Achia assured Parliament during the heated debate.

The breakdown of allocations reveals how the colossal sum will be distributed across government. Ministries will share Shs1.39 trillion, with the Office of the President taking the lion’s share at Shs396 billion. State House follows with Shs189 billion, while the Ministry of Internal Affairs secured Shs204 billion to handle security matters. Other significant ministerial allocations include Shs88.8 billion for Finance Ministry operations, Shs38.6 billion for Health services, Shs47.3 billion for Works and Transport infrastructure projects, and Shs73.3 billion for Gender, Labour and Social Development programs.

Statutory bodies and public institutions received an even larger combined package of Shs1.21 trillion. The Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation emerged as the top beneficiary with a staggering Shs757 billion allocation. Other notable recipients include the National Animal Genetic Resource Centre (Shs92 billion), Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Shs83.1 billion), and Makerere University (Shs14.5 billion). Critical health institutions like the Uganda Cancer Institute and Uganda Blood Transfusion Service also received substantial funding boosts.

Uganda’s global diplomatic presence will be strengthened with Shs836.5 billion allocated to foreign embassies and missions. This money will cover staff salaries and operational costs for Uganda’s network of over 50 international diplomatic posts. Meanwhile, local governments across the country are set to receive Shs2.46 trillion to address salary arrears, fund conditional grants, and improve service delivery through equalization funds.

Achia emphasized that all spending remained within legal limits, not exceeding the 3% of total budget threshold mandated by the Public Finance Management Act. His reassurance paved the way for unanimous approval of the bill, which will apply retroactively from July 1, 2023. “The Committee recommends that this Supplementary Appropriation Bill be enacted into law,” Achia declared, prompting swift parliamentary endorsement.

However, the process wasn’t without criticism. Opposition lawmaker Ibrahim Ssemujju of Kira Municipality cautioned against habitual last-minute budgeting, urging more deliberate fiscal planning. “We need to move away from this culture of emergency spending approvals,” Ssemujju argued, highlighting concerns about accountability and transparency in supplementary budget allocations.

The approved expenditures come at a critical time for Uganda’s economy as it balances development priorities with fiscal responsibility. The substantial funding for scientific and technological innovation signals government commitment to knowledge-based development, while allocations to security and presidential operations reflect ongoing stability concerns. Health sector funding, though smaller compared to other sectors, aims to strengthen Uganda’s pandemic recovery and healthcare system resilience.

Local government allocations promise to trickle down to grassroots communities, potentially improving service delivery in districts and municipalities nationwide. The foreign affairs budget boost comes as Uganda seeks to expand its international trade and diplomatic influence, particularly within regional blocs like the East African Community.

As the funds begin flowing to various agencies and programs, attention now turns to implementation and oversight. Civil society groups have already vowed to monitor expenditure closely, while government auditors prepare to track how the massive supplementary budget gets utilized across hundreds of recipient institutions.

This landmark approval demonstrates Uganda’s flexible fiscal management approach in responding to emerging national priorities, even as it reignites debates about budget discipline and forward planning in the country’s public finance systems. With nearly five trillion shillings now officially authorized for release, all eyes will be on how these funds translate into tangible benefits for Ugandans across all sectors of society.