Uganda’s Debt servicing, bailout undermining children focused sector’s funding in local government: CSOs.

Various civil society organisation including Uganda Debt Network, Transparency International, CSBAG, Uganda Children Child Rights NGO Network, Anti Corruption Coalition Uganda among others have convened to discuss budget choices for children’s in the national budget. 

In a joint press conference held on Monday 29th September 2025, the CSOs say that though there has been strides registered by government in strengthening the education sector and child wellbeing, the funding for children focused sector sat local government is still low.

“As CSO’s, we commend Government of Uganda for recent strides aimed at strengthening the education sector and child wellbeing. Notable among these is the increment in the capitation grant for Universal Primary and Secondary Education, stride to reduce child labor and the adoption of the School Feeding Policy. Local government education departments are also under-staffed, limiting effective supervision and quality service delivery”noted Esther Mufumba the Program Manager Uganda Debt Network.

Mufumbo said that debt Servicing and Bailouts has squeezed local government financing for Children.

“These financial obligations have redirected national resources toward bailouts and debt servicing, significantly reducing the funds available for transfers to local governments” she said

The Executive Director, Uganda Child Rights NGO network, Mr. Damon Wamara said that the children issues at local government has been so much saffected includes probation offices, feeding programs at a school, poor staffing among others.

“It’s urgent to deal with the feeding programs at school. The schools with enhanced feeding programs has registered the highest enrollment and retainer rates” he said

Program manager Anti corruption coalition Uganda, Christine Byiringiro said that the thought there are efforts to lower infant mortality, increase vaccination, there is a need to address the allocation of funds to the plight of children in school especially the rights and justice affairs to the child related cases in Uganda.

The Youth and Children program under Gender and Social Protection of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has seen a notable increase between FY2024/25 and FY2025/26

According to the CSOs, Uganda’s total public debt stock now stands at UGX 116.2 trillion (USD 32.3 billion) by end-June 2025, representing 51.3 percent of

According to the Annual Crime Report 2024 by UPF, child neglect cases also remain high, currently standing at 3,663 Despite this, the allocation to the department remained meagre at only 0.33% of the entire vote budget for the FY2025/26