The Rukungiri district local government has officially approved its budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, marking a significant moment in the district’s fiscal planning. The draft budget, amounting to UGX 62,498,888,000, was presented during the district’s final council meeting, held at the council hall. Vice Chairperson Santurina Nahwera represented Hon. Gideon Ntungura, the Secretary for Finance, Planning, and Administration, in delivering the budget proposal.
This year’s budget reflects a modest increase of 0.6% compared to last year’s allocation of UGX 62,114,429,000. Such incremental growth indicates the local government’s effort to enhance service delivery while managing the financial constraints that districts often face. The approved budget underscores the importance of providing quality and equitable services to the community, as well as ensuring strict accountability regarding budget allocation, expenditure, and the results of service delivery.
A detailed breakdown of the budget reveals significant allocations across various departments crucial for the district’s development: Administration Department UGX 13,071,514,000, with UGX 11,743,298,000 designated for higher local government and UGX 1,328,216,000 for lower local governments.
Finance Department Allocated UGX 402,627,000, Statutory Bodies Received UGX 918,142,000, Production and Marketing Department UGX 3,335,334,000, Health Sector Allocated UGX 10,389,428,000, reflecting the district’s commitment to improving health services.
Education Sector takes the lion’s share with UGX 30,266,128,000, emphasizing the importance of education in community development, Roads and Engineering Allocated UGX 2,084,263,000 while the Water Department Received UGX 651,145,000. The budget also earmarks funds for the construction of two classroom blocks at Mabanga Primary School and Katojo Primary School, among others, as part of the school facilities grant initiative.
Despite the approval of the budget, there are notable concerns regarding the absence of allocations for pension and gratuity arrears, salaries, or salary arrears. The district is closing the financial year with outstanding balances in these critical areas. This situation raises questions about the local government’s ability to meet its financial obligations to its employees and pensioners, which could impact morale and overall service delivery. During the council meeting, various councillors expressed their frustrations regarding the liabilities associated with teacher salaries. The local government is currently in the process of recruiting teachers and other essential officers to address staffing shortages that have been affecting educational quality.
Rukungiri has made strides in improving its service delivery, jumping from the 112th position out of 146 districts and cities to an impressive 8th place in the previous year. This improvement is attributed to effective teamwork and strategic planning within the local government. Councillors emphasized the need for continued focus on enhancing the agricultural sector, improving infrastructure—particularly roads—and renovating schools to further elevate performance.
The approval of the 2025/2026 budget is a crucial step for Rukungiri district as it navigates the challenges of fiscal management while striving to enhance the quality of life for its residents. The local government’s commitment to transparency and accountability will be vital in executing this budget effectively. As the district embarks on this financial journey, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the allocated resources translate into tangible improvements in public services and community welfare.
