Kikuube prioritises wages in sh33.6b budget

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KIKUUBE

Kikuube district has prioritised wages in the newly passed sh33.6b budget for the next financial year (2025/2026).

The approved budget is an increase from sh31.2b for the ending financial years 2024-2025. The budget is expected to be funded by the central government with sh29.4b, local revenue sh1.5b, external financing sh1.9b and other government transfers from line ministries will bring sh590m.

The wage bill is eating sh17b (51%), education (sh13b), health (sh8.9b), water will take sh1.7b, while road and engineering will take sh1.5b.

The budget was presented to the council members during a meeting at district headquarters at Kisambo by the finance secretary and Kiziranfumbi town councillor Zuria Nyakahara. The budget was passed in a council meeting chaired by the district speaker, Chris Nkalu.

During the meeting, Kikuube's chief administrative officer, Edward Businge, warned against the diversion of funds and urged them to exhibit high levels of transparency as they implement budgets.

Businge said that sometimes, diversion of funds causes a lot of conflict of interest and a budget shortfall of the expectation, which affects service delivery. He emphasised the importance of transparency, saying it ensures good service delivery.

“According to the law, the technical people must be loyal to the Government as they deliver the service, money should not be diverted, it should be as planned”.

He said all leaders and technical staff should play their role to ensure that the budget serves its intended purpose of delivering services to the community.

“This budget is addressing seven strategic areas that feed directly from the pillars of the Parish Development Model (PDM), which include mindset change, production and agriculture and infrastructure, among others. So, if the duty-bearers can play their role, the budget will help to transform the community,” he said.