The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development-designate, Henry Musasizi, has called for prudent public expenditure and innovative approaches to ensure government spending delivers measurable development outcomes, amid a wider policy shift to cut costs on national celebrations.
Musasizi made the remarks on Monday after his vetting by Parliament’s Committee on Appointments.
“Government spending must deliver meaningful development outcomes. We must continuously evaluate whether costly undertakings offer value for money or if alternative approaches can achieve the same objectives at lower cost,” Musasizi said.
The Committee on Appointments, chaired by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth Oboth, commenced vetting presidential nominees on Monday.
The exercise is expected to run until Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Under Rule 173 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, the committee is mandated to approve presidential nominees in accordance with the Constitution.
Musasizi’s remarks come as government moves to rationalise public expenditure, particularly on recurring national events.
On Sunday, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury Dr Ramathan Ggoobi announced that effective Financial Year 2026/27, government will stop funding the organisation of public national celebrations and commemorative events, including Women’s Day, Labour Day, and Independence Day.
“Government spending on organizing public national celebrations will be halted from the 2026/27 Financial Year. President Museveni will instead address the nation through radio and television broadcasts from State House,” Ggoobi said.
He added that only a limited number of religious functions will continue receiving government funding, while resources previously allocated to national celebrations will be redirected toward priority areas such as Agro-Industrialisation, Tourism Development, Mineral-Based Industrialisation, and Science, Technology and Innovation.
According to government officials, the shift is aimed at improving efficiency in public spending and accelerating long-term economic transformation through targeted investment in productive sectors.
