Parliament has approved plans for State House to spend Shs40.6 billion on refurbishing State House Entebbe, maintaining presidential transport, and upgrading key security and ICT systems.
The budget will also cover procurement of vehicles for the President, annual maintenance of the presidential jet and helicopter, and maintenance of Nakasero State Lodge plus 26 upcountry State Lodges.
The approval followed the presentation of the 2026/27 Ministerial Policy Statement for State House by Alex Byarugaba, who noted that State House had requested Shs40.690 billion, but only Shs27.222 billion was allocated, leaving a funding gap of Shs13.458 billion.
Byarugaba told Parliament that the existing presidential fleet is aging and needs urgent replacement.
“The current fleet for the Principal is aging and failure to provide the required funds to facilitate procurement of vehicles constrains the role of mobilizing masses and leaders for socio-economic transformation and prosperity in all the regions of the country,” he said.
On infrastructure, he said State House Entebbe has not been significantly refurbished since 2007.
“The Committee also established that there has never been any refurbishment of State House Entebbe since its reconstruction during CHOGM preparations in 2007 while the 26 upcountry State Lodges only undergo regular maintenance,” he added.
Security concerns also featured strongly in the report, with lawmakers backing increased investment in upgraded equipment.
“The ever-changing security environment with new threats that necessitates the procurement of upgraded security equipment should be treated with the sensitivity and urgency it deserves,” Byarugaba said.
He added that such equipment is critical to national security.
“The security equipment is a critical need because it impacts directly on the security of the Fountain of Honour and the country,” he said, noting that Parliament recommended an additional Shs13.468 billion to cover security needs.
In the same sitting, lawmakers also approved Shs42 billion for State House to establish six industrial hubs under the youth skilling programme.
Lawmakers were informed that State House is also exploring the establishment of Common User Facilities within 19 industrial hubs, each estimated at about Shs7 billion, to support skilling graduates in starting productive enterprises.
This, MPs said, would help graduates transition from training into employment and income generation.
The hubs will offer practical training in skills such as tailoring, welding, carpentry, bakery, shoe making, hairdressing, construction, electronics, and motor mechanics.
Byarugaba said the programme remains vital but faces a challenge of start-up capital.
“The skilling programme is very critical because most of the youth, especially those out of school, are not skilled, not educated and not employed,” he said. “However, a section of the graduates still remain unemployed due to lack of start-up capital.”
