Kanungu District Council has raised alarm over persistent challenges affecting service delivery, despite recording strong performance in central government funding for the 2024/2025 Financial Year.
During a council meeting held on October 14, 2025 Chaired by District Speaker Byaruhanga Frank Farah, District Chairperson Eng. Arinaitwe Sam Kajojo, acknowledged that while the district achieved 98% overall revenue performance (Shs 57.7 billion), locally generated revenue remained critically low at only 75%, with major losses linked to weak enforcement of vehicle parking fees and hotel taxes.
Kajojo warned that the district risks over-reliance on central transfers if alternative revenue sources are not strengthened.
“We cannot continue depending entirely on conditional grants. We must widen our revenue base if we are to improve essential services,” he said.
During the council, Road infrastructure emerged as one of the most pressing concerns. Kajojo revealed that key transport routes such as Kijubwe–Kiringa and Rutenga–Kinaba–Kiziba–Mpungu were cited as impassable, affecting trade, access to health centers and school attendance.
The council resolved to lobby the National Road Authority to prioritize these roads, warning that delays could stall economic growth.
Water Scarcity Affects Over 20,000 Households
Despite years of investment in water projects, only 47,676 out of 69,518 households in Kanungu have access to clean water. Women and children in rural areas continue to trek long distances in search of water.
Kajojo urged faster implementation of borehole repairs and gravity flow schemes, calling water access a “human rights and public health issue” rather than merely a development program.
With the majority of Kanungu’s population below 30, Kajojo expressed concern that lack of jobs and skills programs is increasing dependency ratios. He called for targeted youth skilling, agricultural financing and enterprise support to convert the youthful population into a productive workforce.
However, in a major development, councillors elected Evelyn Kyasimire, representative of female workers, as the new Deputy Speaker, replacing Hon. Loice Kembabazi, who now takes on the role of Senior Assistant Accountant for Kanungu Town Council. Kyasimire was elected unopposed.
Outgoing Deputy Speaker Kembabazi expressed gratitude to fellow leaders for their cooperation, urging them to extend similar support to her successor.
Principal Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Mutahakana Gertrude commended Kembabazi for her service and advised her to uphold objectivity in her new technical role.
“You must now navigate the complexities of the technical team without being driven solely by politicians’ perspectives. Remain alert and make informed decisions to benefit the community,” Mutahakana advised.
Adding to the economic debate, Kinkiizi Development Company Ltd, a major tea producer and exporter, submitted a petition demanding bylaws to regulate the tea sector, citing unfair competition and exploitation of smallholder farmers.
According to Twongyeirwe Mwajuma Twaha Adams, the District Communications Officer, the company asked the council to set minimum pricing and factory operation standards to protect local industries.
