Education takes largest share of proposed sh43.6b Kyankwanzi budget
Kyankwanzi district has proposed a sh43.6 billion budget for the 2027/2028 financial year, with education taking the largest share of sh20.05 billion (46%). The district also targets to collect sh1.3 billion in local revenue to support service delivery and development projects.
Kyankwanzi District Chief Finance Officer George Kamba presents the proposed sh43.6 billion budget for the 2027/2028 financial year during a budget conference at the district headquarters. (Credit: Godfrey Asiimwe)
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Kyankwanzi district has projected a budget of sh43.6 billion for the 2027/2028 financial year, with education expected to receive the largest share of the proposed expenditure.
Presenting the proposed budget during a conference at the district headquarters, district chief finance officer George Kamba said the education sector had been allocated sh20.05 billion, representing 46 percent of the total budget.
Kamba said the health sector would receive sh7.36 billion, equivalent to 16.9 percent, while administration had been allocated sh6.94 billion, representing 15.9 percent.
He added that production and marketing would receive sh2.87b, representing 6.6 percent, while roads and technical services had been allocated sh2.39b.
Other allocations include sh1.05 billion for natural resources, sh955.9 million for statutory bodies and sh601.1m for water services.
On local revenue mobilisation, Kamba said the district was targeting to collect sh1.3b in the coming financial year, representing approximately three percent of the projected budget.
He noted that before the introduction of the electronic revenue collection system, the district collected between sh400m and sh500m annually.
"With the introduction of the electronic revenue collection system, our revenue performance has improved, and we are now collecting approximately UGX 1 billion," Kamba said.
He revealed that the district collected sh900 million in the previous financial year, adding that collections could have been higher had the district not been affected by the political season.
Kamba called for joint efforts among local leaders and stakeholders to strengthen revenue mobilisation, emphasising that the money collected should be properly utilised to finance development projects and improve service delivery.
Meanwhile, district chairperson Samuel Ssemugaba called on political and technical leaders to strengthen the monitoring of government schools to ensure that all school-going children attend classes.
He warned parents and other community members against engaging children in labour instead of sending them to school.
"Children belong in school, not at work. Denying them access to education is against the law, and leaders must ensure that every school-going child is attending classes," Ssemugaba said.
He also urged local government employees to concentrate on executing their duties professionally rather than worrying about possible action by the Ministry of Local Government.
Ssemugaba said employees who performed their responsibilities diligently should have nothing to fear.
District chief administrative officer, Fred Kizito Mukasa, described budget conferences as important platforms for promoting transparency and accountability, as well as aligning departmental priorities with national development objectives.
Mukasa said attendance at such meetings was mandatory for all heads of departments because they were expected to present their departmental plans and account for the utilisation of public resources.
He also revealed that the district had acquired 5.7 acres of land in Kayunga Village, Butemba Town Council, for the construction of permanent administrative offices, describing the development as a major achievement.
However, he urged district leaders to maintain a good working relationship with the Buganda Kingdom, which currently hosts some district investments on the land.
He explained that the district might require part of the land for the expansion of Butemba Health Centre IV.
Mukasa called on district leaders to lobby the central government for additional funding to facilitate the construction of the new administrative offices.
He warned that disciplinary action would be taken against employees found neglecting their responsibilities or mistreating members of the public.
"All heads of departments must strengthen supervision and ensure that government employees perform their duties as expected. We shall not tolerate absenteeism, late reporting or mistreatment of the people we serve," Mukasa warned.
On livestock production, Mukasa raised concern over the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which had affected the district and resulted in quarantine restrictions, consequently affecting household incomes and economic activities.
He also warned individuals against diverting or misusing funds meant for government poverty alleviation programmes.
"Government programmes are intended to eradicate poverty and improve household livelihoods. Anyone found diverting or misusing these funds will face legal action," he cautioned.
On staffing, Mukasa identified understaffing as another major challenge affecting service delivery, revealing that several positions were currently being occupied in acting capacities.
He appealed to the central government to provide additional funding to enable the district to recruit more personnel and address the existing human resource gaps.
The CAO further revealed that the district lacked adequate vehicles to facilitate field operations and the monitoring of government programmes.
He called for increased transport facilitation to enable departments to execute their responsibilities effectively.
Mukasa also directed that all government projects must be officially launched and commissioned by the resident district commissioner to strengthen accountability and ensure proper monitoring of public investments.
The proposed sh43.6 billion budget is expected to guide service delivery, infrastructure development and the implementation of government programmes across Kyankwanzi district during the 2027/2028 financial year.