MBARARA CITY, October 27, 2026 – Mbarara City has been recognised by the Local Government Finance Commission [LGFC] for its outstanding performance in local revenue mobilisation, despite ongoing administrative challenges arising from the interdiction of some senior city officials over alleged corruption.
The recognition highlights the city’s efforts to increase locally generated revenue, strengthen financial management and invest public funds in infrastructure and equipment to improve service delivery.
The award certificate was presented to members of the city’s technical team by Acting City Town Clerk Robert Nuwamanya and Deputy Town Clerk Simon Ejua during a Technical Planning Committee meeting held at Mbarara City Hall recently.
During the meeting, heads of departments and other technical staff were commended for their contribution towards improving revenue collection and strengthening financial accountability across the city.
The award was initially announced during a high-level local government conference held at Hotel Africana in Kampala, where Mbarara City was recognised for its efforts to expand its revenue base and channel locally generated funds into infrastructure development and improved urban services.
The recognition follows the city’s continued investment in equipment and other public assets using locally generated revenue.
During the 2021/2022 financial year, Mbarara City collected Shs 5.6 billion in local revenue, part of which was used to purchase a new Caterpillar 140 GC motor grader worth Shs 1.019 billion to support road construction and maintenance.
The city subsequently expanded its fleet of road construction and operational equipment using locally generated funds.
On April 29, 2026, Mbarara City became the first among Uganda’s newly created regional cities to use locally generated revenue to purchase a new vibratory roller, a water bowser, a double-cabin operational truck and a dedicated revenue mobilisation van.
The revenue mobilisation van alone was valued at Shs 191 million.
Speaking during the certificate presentation, Nuwamanya said investing taxpayers’ money in visible development projects was critical to strengthening public confidence in local government and encouraging voluntary tax compliance.
He said residents and business operators were more likely to fulfil their tax obligations when they could see tangible benefits from the revenue collected.
“By buying those vehicles, it is one way of showing accountability, sensitising the public, and creating awareness about the importance of paying taxes,” Nuwamanya said.
“The moment you build trust so that people understand what their tax money actually does, they will be able to pay taxes voluntarily tomorrow without authorities having to deploy enforcement or aggressive measures,” he added.
Nuwamanya emphasised that transparency and accountability in the utilisation of public resources were essential to sustaining revenue growth and improving service delivery.
The city’s technical leadership also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening financial accountability, addressing staffing gaps in various departments and improving revenue collection systems.
Among the priorities is the optimisation of the Integrated Revenue Administration System [IRAS], which is intended to improve efficiency, enhance transparency and minimise revenue leakages.
City officials said the measures would help sustain local revenue growth and improve the delivery of essential public services across Mbarara City’s two administrative divisions.
https://thecooperator.news/boosting-service-delivery-local-governments-to-receive-increased-funding/
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