Kiryandongo seeks answers over Bweyale sh400m revenue shortfall
Kyaligonza says Bweyale, one of the most highly populated town councils in Uganda, continues to register low revenue collections compared with its potential.
District LCV Chairperson Nelson Osaga said the district had faced challenges recruiting additional personnel over the past five years due to restrictions on the release of wage funds by the Ministry. (File)
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Kiryandongo chief administrative officer (CAO) Anselm Kyaligonza has raised concern over low local revenue collection in Bweyale town council, despite its rapidly growing population and expanding business activities.
Kyaligonza says Bweyale, one of the most highly populated town councils in Uganda, continues to register low revenue collections compared with its potential.
He says the district had projected to collect sh1 billion from Bweyale town council in the 2025/2026 financial year but is currently realising only sh600 million, leaving a shortfall of sh400 million.
Kyaligonza compared Bweyale's performance with that of Kigumba town council, which he described as a relatively smaller urban centre but collects approximately sh400 million annually.
He said the amount collected by Kigumba was considerably closer to what the district expects from Bweyale, given the latter's population and level of economic activity.
The CAO has called on Bweyale's political leaders and technical staff to strengthen revenue mobilisation, improve taxpayer sensitisation and ensure effective use of the Integrated Revenue Administration System (IRAS) to enhance revenue assessment, collection and accountability.
During the district budget conference held on November 5 and 6, 2026, the district presented a tentative resource envelope of sh45.34b for the 2027/2028 financial year.
Of this amount, sh40.65 billion, representing 89.65 percent, is expected from central government transfers, while locally raised revenue is projected to contribute sh3.58b, equivalent to 7.89 percent.
Donors and development partners are expected to contribute another sh1.11 billion, representing 2.46 percent of the projected budget.
The education sector is expected to receive the largest allocation of sh18.53 billion, accounting for 40.87 percent of the proposed budget, followed by the health sector with sh10.9 billion, representing 24.05 percent.
The administration department is projected to receive sh5.64 billion, while works and technical services will receive sh2.65 billion.
The production department has been allocated sh2.39 billion, with community-based services expected to receive sh1.62 billion.
To improve local revenue performance, the district plans to strengthen taxpayer identification, update property valuations, improve the utilisation of IRAS, introduce digital revenue collection and enhance the enforcement and reconciliation of revenue assessments.
Kiryandongo LC5 chairperson Nelson Osaga also expressed concern over what he described as Bweyale's high population and low revenue performance.
Osaga says the district will embark on mobilising taxpayers and sensitising residents and business operators about their tax obligations.
He further noted that Bweyale hosts a significant refugee population, with some refugees living and renting houses outside designated settlements.
According to Osaga, refugees operating businesses in the area will also be required to pay applicable taxes.
He said the district had consulted the finance ministry, which clarified that refugees engaged in business activities are not exempt from paying taxes.
The district leadership says improved revenue mobilisation, taxpayer sensitisation and the adoption of digital collection systems will be key to increasing locally generated revenue and reducing reliance on central government transfers.