Budget places emphasis on human capital development, governance and security

The 2021/2022 National Budget will focus on human resource development for the health and education sectors. This is followed closely by focus on infrastructure development, security and governance.
This is contained in the shs44.8 trillion budget presented by Ntenjeru North MP, Hon Amos Lugoloobi on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni at a sitting of the House held at the Kololo Independence Grounds on Thursday, 10 June 2021.

Lugoloobi who awaits approval as Minister of State for Planning said the government has allocated shs7.6 trillion for human capital development which will see an increase in the number of teachers and health workers.
“Government plans to recruit 4,200 primary school teachers and 1,055 secondary school teachers in the next financial year,” Lugoloobi said.

According to Lugoloobi, the government has allocated shs560 billion which will see six million crucial and vulnerable groups vaccinated against COVID-19.
The other priorities in the health sector include improving 43 health facilities, recruitment of additional staff and construction and equipping of specialised health institutes.

The government will also use the parish model strategy to boost growth of the economy. This approach delivers interventions for wealth creation at the parish level and seeks to create income generating opportunities at all the parishes in the country. Lugoloobi says the budget places specific focus has been placed on implementing the parish model which will transform subsistence households through productivity enhancement, jobs and empowering the women and the youths.

For the oil and gas interventions, the government will commence the second licensing round of exploration areas; continue construction of oil roads; implement the National Content Policy that provides priority to Ugandans to supply oil and gas sector; and construct factors production and transportation of crude oil.

On infrastructure, Lugoloobi said shs5.1 trillion has been allocated and this will see the upgrade of 400km of national roads from gravel to tarmac including 37 new bridges, rehabilitation of 200km of national roads and 400km of community access roads.
“The government will also focus on rehabilitation and procurement of ferries and construction of landing sites, continue support for revival of the national airline and acquisition of right of way of the standard gauge railway and metre gauge railways,” Lugoloobi said.

Regarding peace and security, shs6.9 trillion has been provided with emphasis will be on acquiring, refurbishing and maintaining military equipment and facilities key among them being improving urban security with implementation of phase 3 of the safe city CCTV project around the country.

According to Lugoloobi, the country’s focus on market infrastructure development will guarantee export market for the country’s products, addressing constraints in infrastructure and agriculture as well as improving service delivery and competitiveness globally.