SOROTI, May 19, 2025 – The Soroti District Council has approved a budget of Shs 35.9 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year [YF], marking a reduction from the current year’s allocation of Shs 39 billion.
The budget was presented on Thursday during a council sitting at Lukiko Hall by Samuel Enangu, the Secretary for Administration, Planning, Finance and Investments, and Leader of Government Business.
According to the budget, the Education and Sports sector takes the largest share with an allocation of Shs 14.8 billion, followed by Administration at Shs 9.3 billion, Health at Shs 5.3 billion, and Community-Based Services at Shs 464 million.
Enangu reported that only Shs 277 million of the targeted Shs 650 million in local revenue for FY 2024/2025 had been collected so far, forcing the council to reduce its local revenue projections for the next financial year to Shs 390 million.
“We have no time left for a miracle to improve the revenue situation, so we have adjusted our expectations accordingly,” Enangu said.
He also noted expected income from various sources: programme and conditional government transfers are projected at Shs 700 million; discretionary government transfers at Shs 3.9 million; central government grants at Shs 29 million; and other government transfers at Shs 922 million.
During his address, Enangu shared several recommendations from standing committee meetings, including a call for politicians to support local revenue mobilisation, especially in light of emerging urban centres.
He further attributed the budget reduction to the significant drop in revenues from the Production Department. “The creation of Soroti City has left the district struggling with limited revenue sources. For example, Arapai Market, once one of our biggest source of revenue, was handed over to the city,” he said.
Anthony Oyuru, Councillor for Oculoi Sub-county and Chairperson of the Education Committee, highlighted the need for better allocation of funds to purchase desks for schools across the district.
He also noted that in the coming financial year, the District Health Department will prioritise the development of Lalle Health Centre II in Kamuda Sub-county by constructing a maternity ward, as part of its upgrade to Health Centre III.
Presiding over the session, District Speaker Stephen Olebe reminded councillors that this would be the last budget implemented under the current council before national elections. He urged them to use the opportunity to address any remaining challenges and to foster unity and reconciliation.
“Let us account to the people who entrusted us with leadership and also to this council as we pass the final budget,” Olebe said.
Elly Piwang, the Chief Administrative Officer of Soroti District, requested the council to settle outstanding payments owed to the District Lawyer and the Solicitor General, noting that their services had been rendered regardless of the outcomes of the cases.
“Whether we won or lost the cases, the Solicitor General must be paid, we are the beneficiaries of his services,” Piwang said.
Meanwhile, Soroti Resident District Commissioner Paul Eseru identified loitering youth and persistent land wrangles as the district’s most pressing challenges, calling for urgent and coordinated responses.
“We are focusing on addressing these issues that continue to disrupt harmony within our communities,” Eseru said.
This development comes as Uganda’s Parliament recently passed a national budget of about Shs 72.4 trillion for the FY 2025/2026, which is expected to be formally presented in mid-June by the Finance Minister Matia Kasaija
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 0
