The Ntungamo District Council on Thursday approved budget estimates totaling 76.148 billion Shillings for the 2026/2027 financial year.
The approved budget reflects a slight decline from the current financial year’s 76.161 billion Shillings, a reduction attributed to decreased support from development partners such as UNICEF and GAVI, according to the District Communications Officer, Anthony Kushaba.
More than 60 percent of the budget has been allocated to staff salaries, highlighting the district’s focus on strengthening service delivery in key sectors including health, education, and infrastructure.
Secretary for Finance and Planning, Atuhaire Elijah, revealed that 97.4 percent of the budget will be financed by the central government, while 2.5 percent will come from locally generated revenue and only 0.1 percent from external funding.
Despite the overall allocation, the district has also registered a notable reduction in programme conditional grants.
Outgoing Speaker Twikirize Nicholas Mugyenyi commended councillors for fulfilling their mandate and highlighted achievements registered during the council’s five-year term. Reports indicate that only 22 out of the 63 councillors will return in the next council.
Veteran politician Lay Canon Ketty Kapasi, who began her political career in the 1990s and opted not to seek re-election, applauded past and present leaders for laying a strong foundation for the district.
She praised District Chairperson Mucunguzi Samuel and the council for their unity and effective handling of issues before bidding farewell through a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony.
Deputy RDC Atuhaire Rosemary lauded the outgoing council for fostering teamwork between the political and technical wings, saying the cooperation had improved service delivery in the district.
She also commended the district for allocating land for the construction of a modern President’s Office building.
Ntungamo Resident District Commissioner Mariam Kagaiga recognized some of the district’s longest-serving council members with special gifts.
Those honoured included Atuhaire Elijah, the Secretary for Finance and councillor for Rugarama North, Anthony Byaruhanga, the councillor representing the elderly men, and Lay Canon Ketty Kapasi, the councillor representing the elderly women.
