Butaleja Councillors Approve Shs58 Billion Budget Amid Controversy

By Ambrose Wanagoli.

Councillors in Butaleja District on Tuesday approved a Shs58 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, following a session held in a controversial council setting.

The newly approved budget marks a modest increase from the previous financial year’s Shs53 billion allocation. It prioritizes key sectors, including works, health, production, and education, according to District Speaker Yunus Hamila.

Presenting the budget, Secretary for Finance Moses Mudehere outlined three major expenditure categories: wages taking the largest share at Shs34 billion, non-wage recurrent expenditure at Shs17 billion, and development funding at Shs5 billion.

He noted that the bulk of the funding—94 percent—will come from the central government, with donors contributing 5 percent and local revenue accounting for just 1 percent.

Assistant Resident District Commissioner Erisama Kasibini urged councillors to ensure effective implementation of the approved programs.

He emphasized accountability and called on political leaders to remain connected to the communities they serve.

Kasibini also criticized the state of road infrastructure in the district, blaming both technical staff and political leaders for inadequate supervision of works.

He singled out the District Engineer over what he described as substandard road construction across the district.

In his remarks, Deputy Speaker Fred Talugende expressed gratitude to voters for their support over the past five years and called on fellow leaders to set aside political differences in the interest of improved service delivery.

The council session was held at the Butaleja District administrative block, a long-delayed project whose construction began two decades ago but remains incomplete. Recent efforts by the current administration have only managed to make part of the ground floor usable.