UNPFSP & Partners CSOs raise concerns on the social protection budget investment 

Following the budget reading on 11th June 2026, out of the total UGX 84 Trillion, a 16% portion representing UGX 13.56 Trillion was allocated to Human capital development, where social protection belongs, however according Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection (UNFSP), together with partner Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have concurred to the fact that the allocation is way merger compared to the volume of work surrounding vulnerabilities of people living with disability, community based services, street children, senior citizens among other. 

The theme of the post budget press conference is: “Social protection wins and misses in the national budget FY2026/27”

During the press conference held at Kingdom Kampala, on 12th June 2026, the Hon. Patrick Kiconco Kababazi MP Rukiga County representative the Chairman of the UNPFSP highlighted that despite the allocation on social protection of UGX 173.55 Billion, there shocks and vulnerabilities remain perverse.

 He participated that the allocation to child disability benefit of UGX 15.5 Billion will ensure more children with disabilities will stay in school, access care improving their chances of achieving their full potential.

“We want to appreciate government for taking this bold step towards a child sensitive social protect system. This is Human Capital Development in action. It means that more children with disabilities can stay in school” he said 

Kiconco however sounded a concern on the static financing for senior citizens despite a reduction of the age of eligibility from 80 years to 65 years and to enhance the grant. 

He said the expansion require an additional UGX 252 Billion which non funding he said leaves the majority of older persons aged 65 years and above without any form of pension cover and remain vulnerable to poverty.

The Rukiga MP added that “In the budget there are gains and misses. We cannot develop human capital on a thin foundation. For a balanced development there is a need to address the mismatch with other areas such as infrastructure development equally with investment in the people to utilitise them” 

“We welcome the significant allocation, but the funding gap for senior citizens makes them vulnerable to poverty. The senior grant has been maintained at Shs 121 Billion. In October 2025, cabinet passed a resolution to reduce the age and enhance the grant from 25,000/ to 35,000/ leaving funding gap” he said

The CEO of National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) Ms. Esther Kyozira urged the Ministry of gender, labour and social development to fully implement the Child Benefits Grant that the budget allocated funding. 

“We appreciate the child benefits grant, we urge the Gender ministry to implement the program but also to be an oliver twist and ask for more as we plan for next year in order to enhance investments in social protection” she said.

The meeting was also attended by Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Persons with Disabilities (UPFPWD) and Uganda National Action on Physical Disability (UNAPD)