local government 31 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Bukedea Council Reclaims Revenue Collection Amidst Unremitted Funds
Bukedea Town Council councillors have resumed direct control over revenue collection at the local cattle market after the contracted company, Bukedea Orongat Vendors Cooperative Society Limited, failed to remit Shs216 million by the agreed deadline. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/bukedea-council-takes-control-after-revenue-collector-fails-5577906
Councillors in Bukedea Town Council have stepped in to manage revenue collection at the Bukedea cattle market. This decision comes after the contracted company, Bukedea Orongat Vendors Cooperative Society Limited, failed to remit Shs216 million owed to the district and town council by the August 20 deadline.
According to the Chief Administrative Officer, Andrew Milton Kamalingin, the cooperative has lost its mandate as revenue collector due to this breach of agreement. Kamalingin issued a directive on August 21, instructing the Town Clerk, Johnson Opolot, to immediately assume management of the market operations to protect public funds.
Ben Ononge, the NRM Entrepreneurs’ chairperson for Bukedea District, is now leading councillors in collecting the market’s revenue. He highlighted that the previous collection system was inefficient, with the contracted company expected to remit Shs24 million monthly but failing to do so. In contrast, the councillors reportedly collected Shs8 million in just one week after covering expenses.
To revitalize the market and encourage traders, the council has also reduced the fee per cow sold from Shs26,000 to Shs20,000. This move aims to attract back traders who had previously left due to high charges. Cattle traders have expressed optimism about the improving market conditions, with some indicating they may return.
The Bukedea cattle market was once a significant revenue generator in the Teso sub-region, but its performance declined, a situation partly attributed to mismanagement and political interference. The council’s current intervention is expected to continue while authorities work to recover the outstanding Shs216 million.