By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
Lira University Deputy Chief Planner, Mr. Tom Atim, has encouraged staff to be prudent and frugal in preparing the Budget for the 2026/27 financial year, targeting increased students’ enrolment, new academic programmes and new faculties, among others.
Mr. Atim said the agreed budget priorities should have greater multiplier effects in contributing to the delivery of accessible quality higher education through effective teaching and training, research and innovation, and collaborative community engagements.
“All these require additional resources to actualize execution although the aggregate resource envelope at the National level is reported to have declined due to several factors,” Mr. Atim said.
He was making a presentation for the Budget preparation for financial year 2026/2027 at Public Health Board Room on 16th October 2025.
Staff attending the meeting at Public Health Board Room
CPA. Hasahya Nathan Hagobi, Bursar, also Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration and Finance) presided over the Finance Committee of Management meeting.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng and University Secretary, Mr. Oyang Atubo Augustine were in attendance.
Mr. Atim said the first Budget Call Circular (BCC 1) has been issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development (MoFPED) to facilitate preparation of the Budget Framework Papers (BFP) and Preliminary Budget Estimates for FY 2026/27 in line with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) 2015 (amended).
On the next Budget forming the second year (2026/27) of implementation of the Lira University’s 5- year strategic plan (2025/26-2029/30), Mr. Atim advised, all priorities should be aligned to the strategic objectives and priority areas in the plan and the Programme Implementation Action Plans (PIAPs).
He said,” consult other lower-level actors within your jurisdiction well in advance, to capture their views for incorporation into the budget in line with your core mandates. This shall promote inclusiveness and ownership of the Budget for balanced development.”
“We should prepare a credible and realistic Budget that shall contribute to transforming Lira University into a “Beacon Centre of Applied Sciences and Technology”,”Mr. Atim stressed further.
On staff recruitment, and quoting the MoFPED’s 1st Budget Call Circular, Mr. Atim said, recruitment in FY 2026 / 27 shall only be undertaken on a replacement basis and within the available wage provision.
He added, “No recruitment will therefore proceed without prior clearance from both the Ministry of Public Service and Ministry of Finance. The Accounting Officer (the University Secretary) is, therefore, cautioned against creating unfunded wage obligations.”
Because of the resource constraint, CPA Hagobi advised, we must budget within the available financial resources, calling for prioritisation. He added, resources should be concentrated on critical interventions and programmes that are central to the fulfillment of the university mandates.
“Consolidate funding on activities with the greatest multiplier effect, delivering maximum public value…avoid sprinkling of resources across non-essential areas,” CPA Hagobi cautioned.
