EDITORIAL
The government has announced that it will continue funding the annual Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations, even as it scales back expenditure on several other national public holiday commemorations to prioritize economic growth.
The decision follows an announcement by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development that, starting in the 2026/27 financial year, it will no longer release funds for the commemoration of several public holidays, including Women’s Day, Labour Day, and Independence Day.
The funds will instead be redirected to key growth sectors such as agro-industrialization, tourism, minerals, science, innovation, and technology.
However, the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, clarified that Uganda Martyrs Day will remain government-funded because of its significant contribution to tourism and its status as a major international pilgrimage event.
Ggoobi noted that the celebrations attract thousands of local and international visitors each year, making government support essential for providing adequate security and ensuring the smooth management of activities at the martyrs’ shrines.
He also emphasized that, unlike some other public holiday commemorations that could in future be held at State House, Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations cannot be relocated.
Meanwhile, the ministry has officially launched the National Budget for the 2026/27 financial year under the theme: “Full Monetization of Uganda’s Economy through Commercialized Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation and Market Access.”
According to Ggoobi, the budget will be guided by the ATMIS strategy and supported by seven key enablers, including security, infrastructure development, and human capital investment.
The new budget framework signals a shift away from spending on public celebrations and toward investments aimed at creating jobs, increasing productivity, and accelerating economic growth.