Buganda Kingdom recently officially presented its budget for the 2025/26 financial year, setting its expenditure at Shs305 billion.
This represents a significant increase from the previous year’s Shs 257 billion and reflects a bold step toward self-reliance, improved service delivery, and sustainable development for the Kingdom and its people.
The Prime Minister of Buganda (Katikkiro) emphasized that the budget is not just a financial document but a strategic tool for transforming the lives of subjects through smart investments.
The new financial blueprint prioritizes key sectors, including agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, the environment, and cultural preservation.
Development and Investment Take the Lead
The largest share of the budget, Shs 61 billion, has been allocated to development and investment initiatives.
The Kingdom plans to channel this funding into income-generating projects and strategic partnerships that will boost local revenue collection and reduce overdependence on external aid.
This reflects a broader goal of turning Buganda into a financially independent entity capable of delivering essential services without compromising its autonomy.
Buganda’s administration also intends to cut down general expenditure by 25% in a bid to promote financial efficiency and redirect resources to core development priorities. This is in line with efforts to streamline operations across all departments and reduce wastage.
Improving Access to Healthcare Services
Health remains a key priority in the new budget, with Shs 3 billion allocated to improving healthcare delivery across the Kingdom.
A key focus will be the establishment of outpatient health centers in six counties, namely Ssingo, Buddu, Kyaggwe, Busiro, Bulemeezi, and Kyaddondo.
These centers are expected to provide essential health services to underserved communities and help reduce the burden on urban health facilities.
In addition to infrastructure, the Kingdom plans to organize a series of health camps in different regions, offering free medical services to residents.
These camps will be supported by collaborations with organizations such as UNAIDS and the Uganda AIDS Commission, particularly in efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and promote community health education.
Boosting Agricultural Productivity
With agriculture being the backbone of Buganda’s economy, the Kingdom has allocated Shs 47 billion to the sector in the 2025/26 budget.
This funding will support the expansion of the “Emwanyi Terimba” campaign, which aims to revive coffee farming and restore Buganda’s dominance in Uganda’s coffee production.
Under this initiative, more than six million coffee seedlings will be distributed to farmers. The program also includes the provision of 4,400 banana suckers to promote crop diversification and food security.
These agricultural interventions are aimed at increasing household incomes, encouraging youth involvement in farming, and building climate-resilient livelihoods across the Kingdom.
Education and Youth Empowerment as Cornerstones
The education sector has been allocated Shs 23 billion, reflecting Buganda’s continued investment in human capital development.
A significant portion of this budget will go towards reviving the Kabaka Education Fund, which supports students from vulnerable backgrounds to access quality education.
The Kingdom has also pledged to strengthen the infrastructure and academic performance of its educational institutions.
Emphasis will be placed on teacher training, school rehabilitation, and curriculum enhancement to ensure that students receive competitive and relevant education.
Beyond formal education, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Talent Development has launched a comprehensive agenda for 2025.
This includes the introduction of new sports disciplines such as traditional wrestling and badminton, along with flagship events like the Kabaka’s Birthday Run and the Masaza Cup competitions.
These initiatives are designed to promote physical well-being, cultural identity, and talent development among young people.
Restoring the Environment and Upgrading Infrastructure
Environmental conservation and infrastructure development are also central to Buganda’s 2025/26 budget.
The Kingdom has earmarked Shs 24.5 billion for land restoration and infrastructure improvements.
A key environmental project is the “Nalubaale Ebeewo” initiative, which focuses on restoring polluted water bodies and sensitizing communities about sustainable environmental practices.
On the infrastructure front, the Kingdom plans to construct football grounds in counties such as Buddu, Mawokota, Kyaddondo, and Kyaggwe.
These developments will serve as recreational spaces and community engagement centers, while also promoting youth participation in sports.
Cultural Preservation and Community Identity
Cultural heritage remains a defining pillar of Buganda’s governance. In this budget, Shs 1.9 billion has been dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the Kingdom’s customs and traditions.
The funds will support cultural institutions, royal functions, traditional leadership, and events that reinforce Buganda’s identity and values.
In addition, Shs 3.4 billion has been allocated to the sports sector, which complements cultural preservation by strengthening community ties through traditional games and competitive sports events.
A Roadmap for Long-Term Transformation
The FY2025/26 budget is aligned with the Kingdom’s broader strategic plan for 2023–2028. The focus is on reducing poverty, fostering economic independence, and promoting inclusive development.
By prioritizing sectors that directly impact the well-being of citizens, such as health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure, Buganda is setting itself on a path toward long-term prosperity.
The Kingdom’s leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in the implementation of this budget. Stakeholders have been called upon to support the initiatives outlined, not only financially but also through active participation.
Conclusion
As Uganda continues to navigate economic challenges, Buganda Kingdom’s new budget offers a blueprint for localized development driven by community needs and traditional leadership.
With increased investment across critical sectors and a focus on financial sustainability, the Kingdom is demonstrating how heritage institutions can play a transformative role in modern governance.
The year ahead promises progress on multiple fronts as Buganda leverages its resources, traditions, and people to build a self-reliant and empowered society.
