Ntungamo,Uganda – Ntungamo District Council today held its farewell sitting to close the 2021–2026 council term, passing budget estimates of UGX 76.148 billion for Financial Year 2026/2027. The figure reflects a slight decline from UGX 76.161 billion in the current fiscal year, a drop attributed to poor performance due to non-release of funds from development partners including UNICEF and GAVI.
Presenting the budget, Secretary for Finance and Planning Atuhaire Elijah said over 60% of the allocation will go to staff salaries and wages, with priority placed on strengthening service delivery in health, education, and infrastructure.
He noted that 97.4% of the budget will be financed by the central government, while only 2.5% will come from locally generated revenue and 0.1% from external funding, underscoring the district’s heavy reliance on national transfers. Atuhaire added that the district has also seen a significant decrease in programme conditional grants.
Presiding over the final sitting, District Speaker Twikirize Nicholas Mugyenyi highlighted key achievements registered during the council’s tenure and commended councilors for fulfilling their mandate. Reports indicated that out of 63 councilors, only 22 secured re-election to the next council.
In her farewell remarks, outgoing Female Councilor for Older Persons, Lay Canon Ketty Kapasi, 83, praised former district chairpersons Lay Canon John Wycliffe Karazaarwe and Elder Denis Singahache, and their councils, for laying a strong foundation for Ntungamo. The veteran NRM cadre, who declined to seek re-election after 37 years in politics, also commended current Chairman Mucunguzi Samuel and the entire council for achievements realized over the last five years, attributing them to unity and a well-articulated council. She bid farewell by slicing a cake with colleagues.
Deputy RDC Ntungamo Atuhaire Rosemary applauded the outgoing council for its commitment and teamwork between the political and technical wings, which she said improved service delivery. She also thanked the district for allocating land between the former Prisons building and the current RDC’s office for a new modern president’s office block.
Earlier, during an induction training for political leaders, chief facilitator Ndibarema Wa Bitwabaabo reminded councilors that “power and positions are loaned, not owned,” urging them to remain accountable as they can be voted out at any time.
The sitting closed with the awarding of gifts and certificates to outgoing political leaders in recognition of their service and contribution to the district’s development.
Story and Photos By: Radio Ankole
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