The Ministry of Education and Sports has warned that deep budget cuts for the 2026/2027 financial year could disrupt major plans in education and sports, including teacher pay rises and preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
While presenting the Sub-Programme Budget Framework Paper to Parliament’s education committee on Tuesday, State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang said the Human Capital Development Programme has been given an indicative Shs9.6 trillion for 2026/2027, down from Shs11.5 trillion this year.
“This represents a reduction of about Shs1.9 trillion from the current financial year,” Ogwang said, blaming lower external support and weaker domestic funding.
He told MPs that external financing will drop by about Shs1.7 trillion, while domestic financing will reduce by about Shs191 billion. He added that the Education and Sports Sub-Programme has an indicative Shs5.35 trillion, compared to Shs5.56 trillion this year.
Ogwang said about Shs1.9 trillion more is needed to fully meet targets under the National Development Plan IV and the NRM manifesto. He added that the ministry’s total budget is projected at Shs801 billion, down from Shs829 billion.
He said non-wage recurrent spending has fallen by Shs7.7 billion, the government development budget by Shs2 billion, and external financing by Shs18.1 billion.
“As you may have noted, the current indicative budget does not provide for key commitments such as the enhancement of teachers’ salaries, preparatory activities for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and the roll-out of free and compulsory Universal Primary Education,” Ogwang said.
He said the ministry hopes these gaps will be considered in the Second Budget Call Circular due on February 15, 2026.
Permanent Secretary Kedrace Turyagyenda told the committee that 2026/2027 will be the second year of implementing the National Development Plan IV, but funding limits remain a challenge.
“Without addressing these gaps, gains in access, quality, equity, and skills development will be difficult to sustain, and the national human capital agenda will be adversely affected,” Turyagyenda said.
She said the ministry still achieved results in 2024/2025. These include supporting over 8.5 million learners under UPE, completing 50 seed secondary schools, passing the TVET Act, forming the TVET Council, and improving sports facilities such as Mandela National Stadium and Hoima Stadium.
Lawmakers from Karamoja also questioned underfunding for Karamoja Peace and Technology University. Labwor County MP Noman Ochero said only Shs10 billion of the planned Shs30 billion was released.
“This University was tailor made to help the youths who engage in cattle rustling among others. If the University is supported, it will help community, and the neighbouring community,” he said.
Fort Portal City Woman MP Irene Linda asked why government starts new projects before finishing old ones.
The committee later adjourned to allow Federation of Uganda Football Association, the National Council for Sports, and the ministry to align their positions on AFCON needs.
