Governmement of Uganda will stop financing national public holiday functions starting in the 2026/27 financial year, Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi, the Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury, has said .
The saved money will be redirected to fund development priorities. Ggoobi said the government will no longer spend money on organising public functions for holidays such as Women’s Day, Labour Day and Independence Day.
President Yoweri Museveni will instead address the country by radio and television from State House. Ggoobi said the money saved will be used to finance government priorities under the ATMS agenda and other enablers.
The ATMS agenda focuses on agro-industrialisation, tourism, minerals and science, technology and innovation.
The new policy change means that several national events will now be marked through national broadcasts instead of large public gatherings.
Gggobi said public funds will only be spent on a few religious functions.
This suggests government may continue supporting selected religious public holidays, though the ministry did not list which ones will remain funded.
The government has raised the 2026/27 budget to about Ug.Shs.78 trillion.
Uganda has several public holidays on which government has traditionally held or supported national functions.
Uganda marks the Liberation day, International Women’s day Archbishop Janani Luwum Memorial day, Labour day, Martyrs’ day, National Heroes day, Independence day, as well as Christmas, Easter and Eid celebrations.
The holidays most likely affected by the new policy are those usually marked with state-led national ceremonies, including Liberation, Janani Luwum , Women, Labour, Martyrs’, Heroes and Independence Days.
