The Kabale District Council has approved a Shs 64.04 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, with education, health and infrastructure taking priority as leaders seek to improve service delivery and accelerate development.
The budget was presented by Secretary for Finance, Planning, Administration, Works and Technical Services Bridget Asinga Tumwesigye and seconded by Kamuganguzi Sub-county female councilor Peace Murumgyi Rutarimara during the 5th District Council Sitting (FY 2025/26) on Friday. It was later unanimously passed during a council sitting chaired by District Speaker Flavia Nyinakiiza Kanagizi.
The approved budget marks a 9 percent increase from the current financial year’s UGX 58.7 billion, largely driven by enhanced wage provisions, especially for primary and secondary school teachers.
According to the budget framework, 97 percent (UGX 62.2 billion) will come from central government transfers, while local revenue will contribute 2 percent (UGX 1.01 billion) and donor funding 1 percent (UGX 831 million), underscoring the district’s heavy reliance on the central government.
A significant portion of the budget, UGX 37.16 billion (58 percent), has been allocated to staff salaries. Non-wage recurrent expenditures will take UGX 22.22 billion (35 percent), covering transfers to lower local governments, capitation grants to schools and Primary Health Care services. Development projects have been allocated UGX 4.65 billion, representing 7 percent of the total budget.
Education and health emerged as the top priorities under the Human Capital Development Programme, which will receive nearly 63 percent of the total budget. The education sector alone will take 45.3 percent, followed by health at 16.4 percent.
To support learning institutions, UGX 1.23 billion has been allocated for Universal Primary Education (UPE) across 113 primary schools, UGX 1.29 billion for Universal Secondary Education (USE), and UGX 234 million for tertiary institutions, including Rukore Technical Institute and Kizinga Technical Institute.
An additional UGX 1.1 billion in transitional development funding will finance renovations and construction at Kigata Primary School, Kabanyonyi Primary School, Omunkiro Primary School and St. Barnabas Secondary School. A further UGX 206 million has been set aside for the construction of five-stance VIP latrines in seven primary schools to improve sanitation.
In the health sector, UGX 694 million has been allocated to Primary Health Care services, while UGX 500 million will fund infrastructure improvements at Kaharo Health Centre III. Renovation of staff houses at Kafunjo Health Centre II and Kitooma Health Centre III will cost UGX 106 million.
The district has also earmarked UGX 12.3 billion to clear pension, gratuity and salary arrears for both retired and serving staff.
To boost transport connectivity, UGX 850 million has been allocated for upgrading key road networks, including the Rwenkorongo–Kagoma–Katete–Nkora and Kyanamira–Konyo–Rubira–Katokye–Bugarama routes.
Under the District Discretionary Equalisation Grant (DDEG), UGX 203 million will support classroom construction and renovations at Kinyamari Primary School and Kentare Primary School.
Other sectors benefiting from the budget include administration (24.2 percent), production and marketing (3.3 percent), roads and engineering (4 percent), and water (1.25 percent), among others.
Asinga said the budget reflects the district’s commitment to investing in human capital development, strengthening infrastructure and improving livelihoods despite continued dependence on central government funding.
