NAIROBI — East Africa’s major economies Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania on Wednesday unveiled their national budgets for the 2025/26 financial year, each laying out plans to grow their economies while tackling debt and key infrastructure challenges.
The budget readings, synchronised with Kenya’s own presentation, offered a glimpse into shared ambitions across the region. But not all members of the East African Community (EAC) joined in. Countries like Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia held back, citing different fiscal year calendars, ongoing conflicts, and political instability.
Uganda Bets on Growth Through Spending
In Kampala, Uganda’s Finance Minister Matia Kasaija presented a budget totalling Ksh 2.5 trillion, slightly up from earlier forecasts. He described it as a strategic expansion meant to “accelerate economic transformation and job creation.”
A large portion of this budget Ksh 982.8 billion will go towards servicing the country’s debt. Of that, Ksh 360.72 billion is earmarked for refinancing domestic loans. Meanwhile, the country has committed Ksh 1.1 trillion to capital development, targeting infrastructure and industry.
“This budget signals our commitment to investing in our people and national priorities,” Kasaija said during his speech.
Tanzania Invests in Sports and Stability
Across the border in Dodoma, Tanzania’s Finance Minister, Mwigulu Nchemba, announced a budget of Ksh 2.84 trillion, marking a 13.4 percent rise from last year.
The government will allocate Ksh 970.81 billion for running daily operations, with Ksh 37.89 billion going into development projects. Notably, a significant portion of this will support the renovation and construction of sports stadia as the country prepares to co-host the AFCON 2027 tournament.
“This is not just about football,” Nchemba told Parliament. “It’s about jobs, youth, tourism, and national pride.”
Rwanda Eyes Connectivity and Public Services
In Kigali, Finance Minister Yusuf Murangwa laid out Rwanda’s Ksh 635 billion spending plan. That’s a 21 percent increase from the current year’s Ksh 526.4 billion.
Key areas of focus include a new international airport in Bugesera, alongside continued investment in agriculture, education, healthcare, housing, and energy.
The government plans to raise Ksh 372.1 billion 58 percent of the total budget through domestic revenue. Murangwa emphasised that these funds would help “deliver inclusive development and improve the quality of life for Rwandans.”
The coordinated budget announcements reflect a shared push across East Africa to build resilient economies, even as nations juggle rising debts and calls for better governance.
Still, the absence of several EAC members from this year’s budget readings highlighted persistent regional divides.
Whether these ambitious plans translate into tangible improvements remains to be seen but the intent is loud and clear: East Africa wants to grow, and fast.
