Mbarara City Council procures Shs 190mln revenue van to boost collections
The procurement of the vehicle was funded using a portion of the Shs 9.6 billion in local revenue realised during the 2024/25 financial year
MBARARA CITY, April 29, 2026 – Mbarara City has officially commissioned a new revenue mobilisation van valued at Shs 191 million. The vehicle forms part of a strategic push to accelerate tax collection, enhance public sensitisation, and streamline supervision of government projects across the city’s two divisions.
The procurement of the vehicle was funded using a portion of the Shs 9.6 billion in local revenue realised during the 2024/25 financial year. This reinvestment of locally generated funds follows Mbarara’s recent national recognition for excellence in local revenue collection and utilisation, a distinction that City Speaker Bonny Tashobya Karutsya said has been maintained for four consecutive years.
Investing local revenue in service delivery
During the commissioning, City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi said the van is one of several assets the council has acquired through prudent financial management.
“We have commissioned a van purchased using local revenue at a cost of Shs 191 million. It will support my team in transportation, public education, supervision of government projects, and revenue mobilisation,” Kakyebezi said.
He added that since 2021, the council has used local revenue to procure a grader, a vibro roller, and a water bowser to support road rehabilitation, as well as to construct staff housing for teachers.
“To the Town Clerk and your team, I thank you for your efforts in tax collection in Mbarara City and for ensuring that these funds are put to good use, including the purchase of this van. It will streamline operations, improve tax collection, and support activities such as benchmarking visits,” the Mayor added.
Accountability and presidential representation
The Resident City Commissioner, Catherine Helen Kamwine, officially received the vehicle on behalf of the central government. She commended the city leadership for demonstrating accountability to taxpayers.
“I commend Mbarara City, under the leadership of Mayor Robert Kakyebezi, for the good work. Today, we have commissioned this van so that it can begin operations and deliver results,” Kamwine said.
She urged staff to ensure the vehicle is used for its intended purpose.
“This van is meant to support supervision of government programmes and to reach communities with sensitisation on the importance of paying taxes. It is through these taxes that we fund the projects the Mayor has highlighted,” she said.
Kamwine also noted the political significance of service delivery, stating that Mbarara’s strong performance contributed to President Museveni’s recent electoral success, in which he secured 79.21 per cent of the vote in the city.
Strengthening field operations
Sam Rwakinanga, Mbarara City’s Head of Revenue, said the van addresses a critical transport gap that had hindered field operations.
“Local revenue mobilisation begins with registration and assessment and ends with collection. In between, we must support communities to comply voluntarily through mass sensitisation and by resolving assessment disputes. All these activities require reliable transport,” Rwakinanga explained.
He added that the existing revenue vehicle, an ageing pick-up, has frequently suffered mechanical problems. The new van will serve revenue teams in both the North and South divisions, ensuring a more coordinated approach to meeting future targets.
For the 2025/26 financial year, Mbarara City has projected a budget of Shs 49.3 billion, with approximately Shs 10.9 billion expected to be generated from local revenue.
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