Uganda must strengthen its public investment management systems if it is to achieve sustainable economic transformation and reach its goal of becoming a high-income economy, policymakers and experts have said.
Speaking during the Second Public Investment Management (PIM) Conference at Makerere University, Amos Lugoloobi, Minister of State for Planning, described public investment management as a “powerful tool” for advancing national development and socio-economic progress.
“The infrastructure we have built over the years, the social services that we continue to fund, and the economic opportunities we unlock through our public investments are the very pillars upon which Uganda’s progress rests,” Lugoloobi said.
The Minister emphasized that Uganda’s aspiration to transition into a high-income economy largely depends on its ability to manage public investments strategically, efficiently, and sustainably. However, he noted that the transformation journey is marked by both significant opportunities and formidable challenges.
Leveraging Uganda’s Economic Potential
Lugoloobi highlighted several key advantages Uganda must harness to sustain economic growth above 6 percent. These include the country’s youthful population, abundant natural resources, and strategic geographical position within East Africa, which together present immense opportunities for investment and regional trade.
He also commended the Makerere University PIM Centre of Excellence for its role in building institutional capacity for effective public investment management, particularly through training and research.
“Government remains committed to deepening the integration of medium-term expenditure frameworks, strengthening revenue mobilization, and rationalizing expenditures to focus on core priorities,” Lugoloobi said.
Overcoming Barriers to Implementation
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, former Finance Minister of Rwanda and 7th President of the African Development Bank, stressed the importance of equipping technocrats with the necessary skills to successfully implement public investment projects.
He warned that without technically and politically feasible projects, the government risks failing to translate its investment plans into tangible economic benefits.
“For public investments to deliver results, they must be technically sound, politically feasible, and backed by capable institutions,” Dr. Kaberuka said.
“We need an efficient and effective approach to financial management, as well as programmatic planning and budgeting, to achieve balanced and inclusive economic growth,” he added.
Kaberuka also underscored the importance of aligning Uganda’s investment strategies with fiscal sustainability, urging policymakers to adopt a coordinated and results-driven approach to managing resources.
Addressing Implementation Gaps
Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST), acknowledged that Uganda has made “commendable progress” in strengthening upstream project preparation and appraisal mechanisms. However, he cautioned that weaknesses in implementation continue to undermine the full potential of public investments.
“Across many Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, we continue to experience persistent delays, cost overruns, fragmented coordination, and suboptimal delivery,” Ggoobi said. “These bottlenecks are eroding public trust and slowing the pace of development.”
Ggoobi highlighted the importance of improving project execution and management as a top government priority, noting that the recently launched National Public Investment Management (PIM) Policy offers a comprehensive framework to guide the entire investment cycle from planning and appraisal, through implementation, to post-evaluation.
“It is now incumbent upon all MDAs to institutionalize the Policy’s provisions, align investments with sector priorities, and reinforce compliance through stronger internal systems,” he added.
A Call for Institutional Discipline
Experts at the conference agreed that improving project execution requires stronger institutional capacity, better coordination among government entities, and strict adherence to planning and budgeting frameworks.
The integration of these systems, they said, will not only reduce inefficiencies but also maximize the economic and social returns on public investments.
The conference brought together policymakers, academics, economists, and development experts to discuss strategies for overcoming barriers in public investment management and ensuring fiscal sustainability.
Shaping Uganda’s Development Path
Stakeholders expressed optimism that with the right policies and implementation mechanisms in place, Uganda can accelerate infrastructure development, expand economic opportunities, and strengthen public service delivery.
Lugoloobi concluded by reaffirming government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and ensuring that public resources are effectively utilized.
“Our vision for a high-income economy can only be realized if we manage our investments wisely by prioritizing efficiency, sustainability, and accountability, we are laying the foundation for Uganda’s long-term transformation,” he said.
The conference underscored the urgent need for Uganda to close implementation gaps, enhance institutional capacity, and align investment priorities with sustainable growth objectives.
As the government looks to harness its youthful population, natural wealth, and regional advantages, strengthening public investment management has emerged as a critical pathway to accelerated economic transformation.