Africa-Press – Uganda. Ntungamo District has approved a Shs76 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, maintaining the same funding level as the previous year but pledging to enhance local revenue collection and strengthen service delivery in agriculture, infrastructure, and health.
Speaking during the district budget consultative workshop, Chief Administrative Officer Fildeus Kizza said that although the district received similar Indicative Planning Figures (IPFs) as in 2025/2026, new strategies have been designed to boost internal revenue generation.
“We are implementing a budget of Shs76 billion, and we have received the same IPF as last year. Our budget has not been reduced, and we hope to increase it further in the coming financial year because we have already laid strategies to enhance our revenue collection,” Kizza said.
He noted that the district’s main priorities include agriculture and production under the Parish Development Model (PDM), targeting low-income earners to help them start viable enterprises, and the rehabilitation of key road infrastructure to improve accessibility and trade.
“Our main focus is on agriculture and production, especially under PDM, to help low-income earners get out of poverty,” Kizza said.
“The other priority is roads. We don’t have pending projects since we completed most works last year. Though our equipment often breaks down—we only have one grader—we borrowed from neighboring districts and completed all planned roads.”
District Chairperson Samuel Mucunguzi Rwakigoba emphasized that the 2026/2027 plan will centre on infrastructure development, human capital enhancement, climate change mitigation, water and sanitation, and agro-industrialisation, with the PDM remaining the cornerstone of district development.
“The district will focus on infrastructure development, human capital, climate change, water and sanitation, and agro-industrialisation, with the Parish Development Model at the forefront,” Rwakigoba said.
In the health sector, District Health Officer Dr. Bahati reported service delivery improvements but pointed out persistent staffing and wage shortfalls.
“We have noted an improvement in healthcare services this financial year. We intend to procure five motorcycles at Shs10.5 million each and process four land titles,” Dr Bahati said.
“However, most healthcare workers have not accessed their wages. Out of 641 workers, the wage provision was Shs12.2 billion, but the total needed is Shs12.9 billion, leaving a deficit of Shs659 million. We are also understaffed.”
Other challenges cited during the workshop included inadequate transport facilitation, limited equipment, and insufficient staffing across key departments, which continue to hinder effective service delivery.
Despite these constraints, district leaders expressed optimism that the 2026/2027 financial year will bring improvements in local revenue collection, agricultural productivity, road infrastructure, and access to quality healthcare for residents.
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