The newly appointed Minister of Finance, Henry Musasizi, has endorsed proposed government measures aimed at reducing public expenditure on national celebrations and public holidays as part of broader efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline and support economic growth.
Speaking to journalists at Parliament shortly after appearing before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee for vetting, Musasizi expressed support for remarks made by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, regarding plans to cut spending on large-scale public commemorations.
Musasizi said the government must prioritise allocative efficiency by directing resources toward sectors that stimulate economic growth and deliver greater value to citizens.
His remarks follow recent announcements by Ggoobi outlining a series of cost-saving measures set to take effect in the 2026/27 financial year.
Under the proposed policy, government funding for major public celebrations, including International Women’s Day, Labour Day and Uganda Independence Day commemorations, will be significantly reduced or phased out.
The reforms will also shift away from costly upcountry ceremonies in favour of virtual presidential addresses.
Instead of travelling to different districts for national celebrations, President Yoweri Museveni is expected to deliver key national messages through radio and television broadcasts from State House.
According to Musasizi, the expenditure rationalization programme is intended to ensure that government spending aligns with national development priorities while freeing up resources for productive investments.
He noted that savings generated through the reforms will support Uganda’s long-term economic transformation agenda and contribute to the country’s ambition of expanding the economy to 500 billion US dollars by 2040.
Musasizi added that the measures form part of broader government efforts to strengthen public financial management, reduce non-essential expenditure, and maximize the impact of public resources on economic development.
By Francis Lubega
1st June 2026
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