President Yoweri Museveni has outlined Uganda’s budget priorities under the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV) during a retreat of newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The president addressed the legislators in Kyankwanzi on priorities anchored in what he described as the “full monetisation” of the economy.

He listed wealth creation through the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, value addition in agriculture, tourism and minerals, including oil and gas, as well as the development of the knowledge economy through science, technology and innovation.

Museveni also highlighted strategic infrastructure projects such as railways and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), reducing the cost of credit, strengthening revenue generation, and delivering cost-effective social services.

Other priorities he mentioned include support to the creative industry, preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and investment in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

He noted that Members of Parliament are continuing to benefit from presentations by experts from different disciplines during the retreat, aimed at building a shared understanding of these priorities.

The retreat was also attended by key economic figures who addressed the MPs including Ministry of Finance Permanent secretary and secretary to the Treasury (PSST) Dr. Ramathan Ggoobi and the deputy governor of the Central bank of Uganda, Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba.

The National Development Plan IV is Uganda’s medium-term strategy aimed at driving socio-economic transformation, with a focus on increasing household incomes and promoting economic activity across sectors. Programs such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga are designed to extend financial support to communities to enable participation in the money economy, while infrastructure projects are intended to improve connectivity and support long-term growth.