Government has allocated Shs568.65 billion to increase salaries for primary school teachers, arts teachers in secondary schools, and instructors in Business, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) institutions in the 2026/27 financial year.
Presenting the national budget for the 2026/27 financial year, Finance Minister Henry Musasizi said the intervention is intended to improve teacher welfare, boost motivation, and enhance service delivery across the education sector.
The education sector budget has increased to Shs6.66 trillion, up from Shs5.04 trillion in the previous financial year, reflecting government’s continued focus on strengthening human capital development.
Key priorities in the sector include expansion of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE), strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and vocational education, implementing curriculum reforms, supporting public universities and research institutions, and completing sports infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Musasizi emphasized that improving teacher welfare, particularly through salary enhancement and training of pre-primary educators, remains central to government efforts to attract and retain qualified teachers.
He noted that Uganda currently has over 9.5 million pupils enrolled in primary schools, while nearly one million students are in secondary and post-O-Level education programmes.
The minister also highlighted expansion efforts in the education sector, including the establishment of 90 new seed secondary schools and the operationalisation of 259 seed schools across the country.
Government further pledged continued investment in STEM, technical and vocational training, alongside curriculum reforms and increased support for public universities.
On sports infrastructure development, Musasizi said preparations for AFCON 2027 are on track, citing the completion of Hoima Stadium, ongoing upgrades at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, and the continued construction of Akii-Bua Stadium.
The 2026/27 national budget is estimated at Shs84 trillion.
