By The Ugandan government has unveiled major public investment reforms aimed at curbing wasteful spending on infrastructure and other capital projects, as the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development launched the 2025/26 National Budget Month on Thursday
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Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday 29th May , Finance Minister Matia Kasaija announced the operationalization of the newly approved National Public Investment Management (NPIM) Policy, a framework designed to address chronic inefficiencies in project planning, budgeting, and execution.
“For years, we have witnessed incomplete and delayed projects that drain public resources without yielding expected results,” said Kasaija. “This new policy is here to change that narrative. We want to ensure that every shilling invested by government delivers real value to Ugandans.”
The NPIM policy will be implemented alongside the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and mandates stricter standards for project identification, feasibility assessment, and monitoring. Projects must now comply with revised Development Committee Guidelines before they are approved for funding.
Minister Kasaija emphasized that the government’s long-term goal is to grow Uganda’s economy from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion over the next 15 years. Achieving this, he noted, requires a decisive break from past inefficiencies and better fiscal discipline.
“The challenge is not about how much we spend, but how well we spend. Through these reforms, we aim to build a culture of accountability, efficiency, and result-oriented investment,” he said.
The policy comes in response to growing concerns over the proliferation of stalled government projects, bloated budgets, and escalating costs attributed to poor planning and weak oversight.
While the reforms dominated the launch, the Finance Ministry also used the event to reassert its commitment to citizen involvement in the budgeting process. Throughout June, the ministry will organize public dialogues, media engagements, and town hall meetings under the theme: “Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation and Market Access.”
“This month is about demystifying the budget,” said Kasaija. “We want citizens to understand where their taxes go, and how they can participate in shaping national priorities.”
The ministry also plans to engage civil society, development partners, and private sector stakeholders in an effort to strengthen public trust and transparency.
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Uganda’s past budgets have often faced criticism for emphasizing infrastructure spending without clear returns. The NPIM policy is expected to bring a more rigorous approach to public investment, ensuring alignment with national development goals and tangible benefits for communities.
“This is a new era of planning,” said Kasaija. “With proper investment management, we shall cut losses, reduce delays, and build a Uganda where every project transforms lives.”
Budget Month 2025 will culminate in the reading of the national budget speech in mid-June.
