HOIMA, December 10, 2025 — Political leaders and technical staff in Hoima district have been urged to bolster their efforts in delivering quality public services, as citizens who contribute taxes expect tangible improvements.
The call was made by the Hoima district LCV Chairperson, Uthuman Mugisa, during the budget conference for the financial year 2026/2027, held days ago, at the district headquarters in Kasingo.
“Citizens who pay taxes expect better services from leaders and public servants,” Mugisa said.
He emphasised that the forthcoming district budget should prioritise key sectors including health, education, road infrastructure and agriculture. Mugisa noted that Hoima urgently needs a district hospital to strengthen health service delivery.
He further highlighted gaps at sub-county level, pointing out that Kijongo, Kiganja and Kisukuma subcounties lack Health Centre IIIs, despite government policy requiring such facilities in such lower local governments.
He added that existing Health Centre IIIs also need upgrading to Health Centre IV status, as many continue to grapple with drug stock-outs, inadequate staffing, limited space and dilapidated structures.
“I think if these facilities are upgraded to Health Centre IV level, they will receive more staff and be able to offer better services to the community. I therefore urge my fellow leaders and technical staff to prioritise health as they begin the budget process for the next financial year,” Mugisa said.
Mugisa also noted the district’s shortage of agricultural extension workers. Hoima District’s Production Department is supposed to have 92 staff—12 at district level and 80 at sub-counties—but currently has only 22, representing just 30 percent of the required workforce.
He also stressed the need to recruit more extension workers to support farmers with improved agronomic practices, especially at the time when government is encouraging commercial agriculture through the Parish Development Model [PDM].
The Chief Administrative Officer, Emmanuel Ssempala, said Hoima’s budget will focus on Agro-industrialisation, Tourism Development, Mineral-based Industrialisation, and Science, Technology and Innovation (ATMS), in line with the government’s Ten-Fold Growth Strategy. The strategy aims to spur value addition, job creation and export growth by modernising agriculture, boosting tourism, developing mineral resources and leveraging technology, supported by investments in green energy and infrastructure.
“The district budget strategy is anchored on increased value addition to agricultural products, greater investment in science and technology, and improved transport infrastructure, irrigation, industrial parks, education and health for socio-economic transformation,” Ssempala added.
The District Production and Marketing Officer, Dr Charles Kajura, said Hoima is focusing on improving agricultural production and market access by increasing farmers’ use of fertilisers and strengthening post-harvest handling.
“We are going to enhance fertiliser use so that farmers can increase their production capacities. Other countries are ahead of us because they use fertilisers more extensively. We are also strategising on market access, post-harvest management and improving horticulture to better tap into export markets,” Kajura said.
In Uganda, district budget conferences aim to kick off budget preparation by aligning local plans with national priorities, ensuring transparency, getting stakeholder input [on needs such as health, roads, water], discussing funding [central government grants, local revenue], and setting priorities for service delivery, ultimately leading to the districts’ Annual Budget Framework Papers that are submitted to the Finance ministry for further action.
https://thecooperator.news/parliament-approves-shs-8-trillion-supplementary-budget/
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