Finance Minister, Henry Musasizi, says a total of Shs1.140 trillion has been provided in the new Budget for Science, Technology and Innovation, ICT and the creative industries.
Presenting the National Budget for the 2026/27 financial year at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, the Minister said the priorities under this sector for the financial year 2026/2027 include commercialisation of innovations, especially Kiira Motors vehicles, coffee, Dei BioPharma drugs and vaccines, and banana products.
Under the budget, the government also intends to establish a Hi-Tech City, with an additional investment in scientific research and innovation.
Government also moves to expand digital infrastructure to increase coverage, reliability and affordability of internet, government services and e-commerce.
Minister Musasizi added that focus will also be on expanding the free-to-air TV signal and strengthening intellectual property protection.
Government says to protect intellectual property and artistic works, it enacted the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2025.
It also established the Uganda Creatives Revolving Fund to provide affordable financing to SACCOs in the creative economy.
By December 2025, approximately Shs18.99 billion had been disbursed to 50 SACCOs of musicians, benefiting 3,047 individuals, of whom 62 percent are youth and 43 percent are women.
The government says it is also finalising the acquisition of a dedicated home for creative artists to serve as a common-user facility for young talents to create wealth and jobs.
Other wealth creation programs include the Parish Development Program (PDM), Emyooga, Tourism, science, technology and innovation, minerals, oil and gas, tourism infrastructure, agro-industrialisation, mechanisation and animal health, water for production and irrigation, agricultural research and innovation.
Minister Musasizi on Thursday tabled a total budget of Shs84.3 trillion.