The three countries release their budgets on Thursday as part of the requirements of the East African Community.

Tanzania's economy grew by 5.9% last year, and Finance Minister Basil Mramba predicted 6.3% growth this fiscal year.

Kenya's economy grew by 1.2% last year, below the predicted 2%.

Weak prices

Uganda's economic growth is set to fall short of target, due to weak coffee prices and the rising cost of importing oil.

Despite the missed target, the economy is still projected to grow at a robust 5.6% in the financial year that ends this month.

"Although this growth is below the target growth rate of 7%, it is a sign of the resilience of the economy," Uganda's finance ministry said.

Growth was supported by a 10% rise in telecoms output, and 7% expansion in construction industries.

Mind the gap

The statement came as Ugandan Finance Minister Gerald Sendaula presented his budget for the next fiscal year.

The budget was expected to include a deficit of about 660bn shillings ($370m).

The government has been hoping to fill that gap with additional funding from donors, a government paper obtained by news agency Reuters showed.