Sectoral priorities for Uganda's FY18-19 budget : a poverty and equity perspective
Uganda needs to allocate more resources to the social sectors (education, health and social protection) and to productivity-enhancing policies in the agriculture sector. Higher levels of investment in education, social protection, health (complemented by investments to increase access to water and sanitation services), and agriculture, are required for Uganda to attain two of its medium-term policy objectives: reducing poverty and inequality, and promoting economic growth in Uganda. While education has been a major factor in reducing poverty and inequality in the past, current levels of funding are inadequate. Education also helps households to smooth adverse shocks, making them less vulnerable to factors outside the control of households and individuals. Additional investment is needed to address the recent decline in primary enrollment rates and increase the quality of education at this level. Also, improving the availability and affordability of secondary education, especially in rural areas, is essential the raise the stubbornly low secondary enrollment rates. Addressing the high levels of under-five mortality, child stunting and teenage pregnancy requires the GoU to improve the provision of health care services to women and children. This in turn requires devoting more resources to the delivery of these services. Given the multi-faceted nature of these issues, complementary efforts in other sectors are also required, particularly through education programs and investments in sanitation and hygiene facilities. Programs aimed at increasing the agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers should have sufficient funding in the budget. The GoU should promote programs that improve the quality of inputs in local markets through certification programs and should increase the availability of extension services and credit to smallholder farmers. (Uganda)