Archival Sense
Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 47
- 72
The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has revealed that the Government plans to spend UGX 72.429 billion on internet services in the Financial Year 2026/27. A figure that is already raising concerns about excessive public spending.
According to the second budget call circular issued by the secretary to the treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, the largest portion of this budget will go to the Uganda Police Force, which alone is expected to consume UGX 42.036 billion in internet costs. This accounts for more than half of the total national internet budget for government institutions. Other significant allocations include UGX 3.260 billion for the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and UGX 3.181 billion for the Judiciary of Uganda. The Ministry of Works and Transport and the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda are also set to spend over UGX 2.2 billion each.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Revenue Authority has earmarked nearly UGX 901 million, while the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance plans to spend UGX 563.8 million. Offices such as State House and the Office of the President have collectively allocated over UGX 600 million for internet services.
In contrast, some public hospitals such as Nebbi General Hospital and Kyenjojo Hospital are budgeting less than UGX 2 million each for internet services.Some citizens are highlighting this as a stark imbalance in allocation priorities. At a time when Uganda continues to grapple with public debt pressures, service delivery gaps, and limited funding for essential sectors like health and education, the planned UGX 72.4 billion expenditure on internet services has attracted scrutiny. Critics question whether stronger cost controls, centralized procurement, or digital efficiency reforms could significantly reduce this bill. The figures underscore a broader debate about government spending discipline and whether current allocations reflect the country’s most urgent development priorities.
According to the second budget call circular issued by the secretary to the treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, the largest portion of this budget will go to the Uganda Police Force, which alone is expected to consume UGX 42.036 billion in internet costs. This accounts for more than half of the total national internet budget for government institutions. Other significant allocations include UGX 3.260 billion for the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and UGX 3.181 billion for the Judiciary of Uganda. The Ministry of Works and Transport and the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda are also set to spend over UGX 2.2 billion each.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Revenue Authority has earmarked nearly UGX 901 million, while the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance plans to spend UGX 563.8 million. Offices such as State House and the Office of the President have collectively allocated over UGX 600 million for internet services.
In contrast, some public hospitals such as Nebbi General Hospital and Kyenjojo Hospital are budgeting less than UGX 2 million each for internet services.Some citizens are highlighting this as a stark imbalance in allocation priorities. At a time when Uganda continues to grapple with public debt pressures, service delivery gaps, and limited funding for essential sectors like health and education, the planned UGX 72.4 billion expenditure on internet services has attracted scrutiny. Critics question whether stronger cost controls, centralized procurement, or digital efficiency reforms could significantly reduce this bill. The figures underscore a broader debate about government spending discipline and whether current allocations reflect the country’s most urgent development priorities.
