The President of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni together with the minister of Education and sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha have held talks with Ambassador of Belgium to Uganda H.E Rudi Veetraeten and the acting Ambassador of USA to Uganda H.E Chritopher Krafft about the budget gaps in the sector, alongside possible interventions for the same. 

The meeting between the four was conducted on Thursday, June 25 at the state House in Entebbe.

“While this matter is of utmost importance, our guidance, has been, that; It should be discussed, as a cluster of core areas to be addressed collectively in a developing economy, such as Uganda’s, as opposed to having the areas appearing to be competing against one another. This is the misdiagnosis that led us to an economic collapse to the point that by 1986, the country was almost entirely reliant on smuggling for basic goods. We have been working to correct this over the years, with a budget strategy shaped by the need to build a viable base, not just for survival, but sustainable prosperity, ” Museveni noted.

He also added that Capital expenditure on infrastructure, energy, agriculture, industry/manufacturing and security may, in the short to medium term, be prioritised over recurrent expenditure like salaries. 

“The revival of this conversation is always an opportunity to look further within, towards aggressively tackling wastage within the national budget and make re-allocations towards the primary sectors and of course further prioritise within those sectors, as the need arises. This could allay the concerns being raised. For example, at the backdrop of the COVID – 19 pandemic, the minister has informed me that e-learning, especially for tertiary institutions, is becoming a much needed solution which requires resources,” Museveni said.

These talk come just a few days when the ministry of finance and economic development have just read the FY 2021 Budget which they estimated at around 45.5 trillions.