Politics 3 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kamuli District Approves Shs78.1 Billion Budget Amid Calls for Better Accountability
Kamuli District Council has approved a Shs78.1 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, an increase from last year's Shs71 billion, as leaders raise alarms over accountability, shoddy work, and poor service delivery. Officials stressed the need for financial discipline, transparency, and effective implementation to boost public confidence. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/kamuli-passes-shs78-1b-budget-amid-accountability-concerns-5445870
Kamuli District Local Government has approved a Shs78.1 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, marking an increase from the previous Shs71 billion. The approval came during the final council session of the current term at Mbale District Council Hall.
Outgoing LCV Chairperson Sarah Sambya highlighted that the budget is mainly funded by Shs67 billion in conditional government grants, Shs1.1 billion from local revenue, and Shs2.5 billion in external funding. Education receives the largest allocation at Shs36.3 billion, followed by health at Shs16.5 billion and administration at Shs13.6 billion. Sectors like trade, industry, and natural resources get much smaller shares of Shs174 million and Shs946 million respectively.
Sambya described the budget as a steady foundation for the district’s progress. Incoming LCV Chairperson Kaloli Dhizaala urged greater accountability, fund utilization, and quality services to build public trust and increase local revenue. He emphasized that implementation matters more than the budget size, warning civil servants to prioritize discipline and transparency.
Outgoing councillor Chris Wabwire criticized the loss of local budget autonomy, blaming the Ministry of Finance’s control through indicative planning figures. Chief Administrative Officer Ben Lawrence Marley noted the budget rise was due to revised figures for enhanced teachers’ salaries. Priorities include education, health, administration, gratuity payments, salary arrears, and staff recruitment.
Marley committed to budget discipline, stronger audits, and capacity building. The outgoing councillors received completion certificates and a farewell event at Mbale Queens Golf Hotel.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)