KAMPALA | The Ugandan government has announced that it will no longer finance the organisation of national public holiday celebrations, including Women’s Day, Labour Day, and Independence Day, beginning in the 2026/27 financial year.
The directive was confirmed on Sunday by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Dr Ramathan Ggoobi, who said the decision is part of ongoing efforts to streamline public spending and reduce pressure on the national budget.
Dr Ramathan Ggoobi explained that the government will prioritise funding for key sectors such as infrastructure development, education, and health, while encouraging alternative arrangements for national celebrations.
For years, these public holidays have been fully funded by the central government and marked with large-scale national events featuring military parades, cultural performances, official speeches, and regional gatherings coordinated by various ministries and local governments.
Independence Day on October 9, Labour Day on May 1, and International Women’s Day on March 8 have traditionally attracted significant public spending, covering logistics, security operations, staging infrastructure, and nationwide mobilisation.
Officials say the new approach will shift responsibility for financing these events towards private sector sponsorships, development partners, and institutional collaborations, although clear operational guidelines are yet to be published.
The policy shift is expected to generate national debate over the balance between fiscal discipline and the symbolic role of state-funded commemorations in fostering national unity and identity.
Further guidance is expected in upcoming budget framework papers as the government prepares for implementation in the 2026/27 financial year.