By Aggrey Baba
Just days after its release, the Buganda Kingdom’s 2025/2026 UGX 305 billion budget has stirred conversations for its clear focus on agriculture and youth empowerment, signaling a determined effort to reshape its economic future.
With fresh investments aimed at harnessing the potential of young people and revitalizing key agricultural sectors, the budget sets an ambitious agenda that could redefine Mengo’s development trajectory.
The budget allocates about UGX 77 billion, the largest share, towards youth-related initiatives and economic development programs, followed closely by UGX 73 billion set aside for partnerships and cooperative projects. Education is allocated UGX 25 billion, while the royal docket will receive UGX 21 billion.
During the recent budget reading, the kingdom’s finance Minister Robert Nsibirwa emphasized that the youth, who make up the biggest percentage of Buganda’s population, are at the heart of this budget.
Plans include training 5,000 young people annually through the Digital Buganda Hub, a centre that equips them with skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and internet technologies.
The kingdom intends to nurture 100 start-ups over the next decade and generate 5,000 direct jobs by equipping young entrepreneurs with digital and business skills. On the kingdom’s university campuses, the Airtel/K2/Buganda Youth Network project will continue to empower 2,500 students to build viable businesses.
Agriculture remains a priority with a focus on coffee farming, and the budget moves to train 500 youth annually in agronomy, processing, and agribusiness management through internships and partnerships with coffee estates.
Efforts will also support wet processing of coffee beans and promote value addition at the farm level. Through the Buganda Coffee Agribusiness Development Enterprise (BUCADEE), the kingdom will provide subsidized seeds, fertilisers, and equipment across counties.
The budget also includes an environmental campaign, titled “Kacupa Nazo Ssente,” aimed at mobilizing youth in villages near Lake Victoria to collect plastic waste, turning it into a source of income.
On early childhood education, Buganda plans to establish 20 new Early Childhood Development Centres in addition to the 10 already operational. Nsibirwa pointed out that Uganda’s pre-primary education attendance stands at only 14% compared to Kenya’s 44% and Rwanda’s 35, stressing the need to invest in early learning as a foundation for future development.
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga said the kingdom has to be creative in raising funds since it does not collect taxes, also calling for transparency and commitment in using available resources.
Mayiga revealed that the central government owes Buganda close to UGX 160 billion, urging that this amount be paid through the supplementary budget to enable implementation of planned activities.
Other budget highlights include UGX 73 billion for partnerships, UGX 72 billion for cooperatives, UGX 36 billion from nominal ground rent, and UGX 26 billion from school dues. Smaller allocations go to the Nabagereka Foundation, bank clearances, and expert hires. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
