By Nasir Lubwama
The Government will stop spending money on organising several national public functions effective Financial Year 2026/27, as part of wider measures to rationalise public expenditure.
The Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, said the decision will affect public holiday celebrations such as Women’s Day, Labour Day and Independence Day, among others.
According to Dr. Ggoobi, government funds will only be spent on a few selected religious functions, while other national commemorations will be marked without the usual public events.
He said President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will instead address Ugandans on radio and television from State House during such days.
Dr. Ggoobi said the move is intended to reduce avoidable expenditure and redirect public resources to priority areas of government.
He noted that the money saved will be channelled towards financing government priorities under ATMS and key enablers.
The decision forms part of the Government’s broader push to tighten spending, improve efficiency and ensure that public funds are directed to programmes with direct impact on service delivery and economic growth.
