Government to End Public Funding for National Holiday Celebrations from 2026/27

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KAMPALA | Sunday, May 31, 2026

The Ugandan government has announced that it will discontinue the allocation of public funds for the organization of national holiday celebrations, including Women’s Day, Labour Day, and Independence Day, beginning in the 2026/27 financial year.

The announcement was made on Sunday by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, who said the decision is part of broader fiscal consolidation measures aimed at reducing non-priority government spending.

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Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi said the government intends to redirect limited public resources toward priority sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure development, as budget pressures continue to tighten.

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For decades, Uganda has centrally financed large-scale commemorations of key national holidays, with Independence Day, Labour Day, and International Women’s Day featuring official ceremonies, military parades, cultural exhibitions, and nationwide mobilization activities coordinated by government institutions.

Ugandan national Independence Day celebrations with military parade in Kampala — **Government-funded national celebrations in Uganda, including Independence Day events, may be affected by new funding changes.**

These events have also attracted scrutiny over their high operational costs, which include logistics, security deployment, event staging, and administrative coordination across multiple districts.

Under the new arrangement, the government expects future celebrations to be supported through private sector sponsorships and partnerships with development agencies and other stakeholders, though officials have not yet released detailed guidelines on how the transition will be implemented.

The policy shift is expected to spark debate over the role of state funding in national symbolism and civic participation, given the historical importance of these holidays in Uganda’s national identity.

Further details are expected in upcoming budget framework papers ahead of the 2026/27 financial year.

written by @enock katamba

enock katamba

Enock Katamba is a Ugandan Journalist and Founder of Uncovered UG, an independent digital news platform covering Uganda and international developments. He reports on politics, national affairs, entertainment, sports, business, education and other stories of public interest.