Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom tables Shs 22.5bln budget
HOIMA – Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom intends to spend Shs 22.5 billion in the financial 2023-2024 compared to Shs 15.8bln planned for spending in the financial year 2021-2022.
The budgetary estimates were presented days ago by the kingdom’s Minister of Finance and Planning, Robert Owagonza Abwooli and approved by the kingdom’s parliament [Rukurato].
According to the budget estimates, the Ministry of Investments took a lion’s share of Shs 6, 4bln followed by the Ministry of Finance and planning which took Shs 3.9bln while Office of the Prime Minister took home Shs 3.4bln.
The Ministry of Palace Affairs was allocated Shs 2.2blnn, Ministry of Culture was given Shs 1.3bln while Ministry of Tourism was given Shs 977 million.
He added that the Attorney General Chambers received Shs 870mln, Rukurato was given Shs 750mln and Ministry of Natural resources was given Shs 505mln.
Ministry of production was allocated Shs 440mln, Ministry of Gender received Shs 407mln, Oil and Gas Shs 308mln, Ministry of External Relations was given Shs 240mln and Ministry of social service was given Shs 518mln while restitution and reparations got the least share of Shs 58mln.
According to Owagonza, the money will be used in the purchase and establishment of both television and radio stations to streamline communication and earn revenue for the kingdom.
He said some of the money will also be used to construct the kingdom’s commercial buildings whose revenue will in turn be used to buy land in strategic areas.
Owagonza added that the budget will be funded using internally generated resources such as sale of marriage certificates, the king’ and queen’s portraits, the kingdom’s maps, designed T-shirts, caps, shirts and bangles, lease fees and temporary land hiring.
The kingdom also hopes to raise money from tourism, fixed deposits, grants from the government, land fees, royalties from game parks and reserves and grants and donations among others.
He added that the kingdom is more determined to consolidate what has so far been achieved, revealing that financial reforms have been put in place to make better use of money through stringent financial internal controls.
The minister added that the kingdom will continue pursuing the full restitution of her properties from the government of Uganda to help it plan better.
Andrew Byakutaaga, the kingdom Prime Minister, implored the kingdom line ministries to ensure proper implementation of the budget. He noted that the budget is going to help the Kingdom to remain self-reliant.
He explained that the Kingdom needs to have her sources of income to avoid being dependent on donation to be able to develop.
The budget was passed under the theme, “Fostering Bunyoro’s self-reliance and excellence”.
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
