Government has earmarked Shs11.89 trillion for the education and health sectors in the 2026/27 financial year as part of efforts to improve human capital development, strengthen service delivery, and support Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda.
Presenting the national budget, Finance Minister Henry Musasizi said the government remains committed to expanding access to quality education, skills development, and healthcare services across the country.
Education Sector Receives Shs6.66 Trillion
According to Musasizi, approximately 9.52 million learners continue to benefit from the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme, while nearly one million students are enrolled under Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post O-Level Education and Training programmes.
The minister reported significant progress in expanding education infrastructure, including the completion of 90 additional seed secondary schools, expansion of 54 existing schools, and operationalization of 259 seed schools nationwide.
Government has also continued to invest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, vocational training, and digital literacy programmes aimed at equipping young people with skills relevant to the modern economy.
Musasizi further announced that Shs6.66 trillion has been allocated to the education sector for the 2026/27 financial year, with an additional Shs568.65 billion set aside to enhance salaries for primary school teachers and arts teachers.
In the sports sector, he noted that Hoima Stadium has been completed and preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament remain on schedule.
Health Sector Gets Shs5.23 Trillion
The Finance Minister said government continues to prioritize investment in healthcare through increased funding for medicines, specialized treatment services, and modern medical infrastructure.
Funding for essential medicines has been increased to Shs862.93 billion, aimed at improving the availability of drugs and medical supplies in public health facilities.
Musasizi revealed that 17 Regional Referral Hospitals and 25 General Hospitals have been equipped with Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services.
Additionally, 14 Regional Referral Hospitals have received CT scan machines, improving diagnostic capacity across the country.
He described Uganda’s successful performance of its first bone marrow transplant as a major milestone in the country’s healthcare development and a sign of growing capacity in specialized medical treatment.
The minister also reported progress on several flagship health infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Specialized Cardiac Hospital in Naguru, the International Specialized Hospital of Uganda in Lubowa, and regional cancer treatment centres.
To support these initiatives, government has allocated Shs5.23 trillion to the health sector in the 2026/27 financial year.
Human Capital Development Remains a Priority
Government officials say the substantial investments in education and health are intended to improve learning outcomes, expand access to quality healthcare, enhance workforce productivity, and accelerate national development.
The allocations form part of broader efforts to build a skilled, healthy, and productive population capable of driving Uganda’s economic growth and competitiveness in the years ahead.
