Minister Babalanda Tasks Governance and Security Leaders to Align FY 2027/28 Budget to NDP IV and Tenfold Growth Strategy

MUNYONYO–The Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, has urged leaders under the Governance and Security Programme (GSP) to prepare credible, realistic and results-oriented budget proposals aligned to the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and the Tenfold Growth Strategy.

Hon. Babalanda made the call today while opening the Steering and Political Leadership Committee meeting held at Munyonyo Speke Resort to prepare the Budget Framework Paper for th Financial Year 2027/28.

The meeting brought together Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies under the Programme.

She congratulated fellow Ministers on their appointments and reappointments for the new National Resistance Movement (NRM) term 2026-2031, saying the appointments reflect the confidence of H.E. the President and the people of Uganda. She urged them to serve with renewed commitment, patriotism and integrity.

Minister Babalanda commended Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and technical teams for their dedication to implementing Government policies and programmes.

The Minister said the FY 2027/28 budget process is timely and strategic, following the issuance of the First Budget Call Circular by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

She reminded leaders that the process is anchored in Article 155 (1) and (2) of the Constitution and Section 12 (1)-(3) of the Public Finance Management Act, Cap. 171, and that approved draft budget estimates must be submitted to the Ministry of Finance by Thursday, 15th October 2026.

“I call upon all political and technical leaders to treat this deadline with the urgency it deserves,” she said.

Minister Babalanda said political leaders must provide clear policy direction that reflects the aspirations of Ugandans, while Accounting Officers and technical teams must translate priorities into technically sound, properly costed and implementable plans with clear accountability mechanisms.

She urged MDAs to embrace the programmatic approach to planning and budgeting, which requires collaborative work towards shared national outcomes rather than institutional silos.

“Our focus should not simply be on how much money each institution receives, but on the results we collectively deliver and the difference our interventions make in the lives of Ugandans,” she said.

She noted that governance, peace, security, rule of law, accountability and the fight against corruption are interconnected and cannot be achieved by any single institution in isolation. She called for strengthened coordination, harmonized priorities and regular meetings of the Political Leadership Committee supported by effective technical engagements.

Hon. Babalanda said the Programme’s work must remain firmly aligned to NDP IV and the Tenfold Growth Strategy, which seeks to grow Uganda’s GDP from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion in 15 years.

She noted that this requires investment in productive sectors as well as a peaceful and secure country, effective institutions, predictable enforcement of the law, efficient public administration and accountable leadership. Budget proposals must demonstrate how resources will contribute to these objectives and to the Programme Implementation Action Plans (PIAPs) across all 18 NDP IV programmes.

The review of the draft Vote estimates was guided by the NDP IV Coordination Guidelines, 2025 issued by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, which emphasize coordination at Technical Working Group, Steering Committee and Political Leadership levels.

The Minister emphasized that the fight against corruption must remain central, saying corruption diverts resources, undermines public trust and weakens institutions.

“We must demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption by strengthening preventive controls, upholding ethical standards, promoting transparency in public procurement and expenditure, and addressing misconduct through established legal mechanisms,” she said.

Minister Babalanda said the meeting comes at a time when H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has intensified efforts to reduce unnecessary expenditure and eliminate wastage, reflected in his firm stance against corruption and scaling down of national ceremonies like the recently concluded Independence Day celebrations.

She said the President has guided that Government must improve efficiency in service delivery through continuous monitoring.

“I urge all of us to become field-based leaders who regularly engage with realities on the ground, monitor programme implementation and ensure Government interventions like PDM, Emyooga and the 4-Acre Model deliver intended results. We must not remain in our offices while implementation challenges persist in the field,” she said.

She added that there is no time for complacency and leaders must remain vigilant, proactive and results-oriented.

In her closing remarks, Hon. Babalanda thanked participants for their active participation and commitment to strengthening the Programme’s performance.

She urged institutions to take agreed actions seriously, ensure budget priorities are aligned to national objectives, and complete preparations within the stipulated timelines.

“Let us leave with a renewed sense of duty, unity of purpose and determination to deliver on our mandates. The success of the Governance and Security Programme depends on our collective commitment and willingness to turn resolutions into tangible results,” she said.

She expressed confidence that by following the President’s guidance and embracing collaboration and purposeful leadership, the Programme will make a meaningful contribution to NDP IV, the Tenfold Growth Strategy and the wider national development agenda.