NELSON K
The Eastern Division of Rukungiri Municipality on Friday held its annual budget conference at Christ the King Catholic Church old building, aimed at identifying and submitting key priorities and projects for implementation in the 2026/2027 financial year.
While presenting the report on the past financial year 2024/2025, the Eastern Ward Vice Chairperson highlighted achievements and ongoing efforts to boost government funding, enhance service delivery, and improve the management of public resources. The report noted significant progress in several areas, including the facilitation of Primary Seven candidates from both government and private schools to sit for exams, enforcement of daily revenue collection through street parking, trading licenses, and taxation, and efforts to upgrade Kyatoko Health Centre II to Health Centre III status.
Other achievements included holding regular security meetings to strengthen community safety and supporting garbage collection initiatives under Homeklin, which has since withdrawn its services. Garbage management is now being handled directly by the municipality.
Despite these gains, several challenges were cited, including delays in the release of government funds, failure by sections of the business community to pay licenses and taxes, and public reluctance to pay garbage collection fees. The report also pointed to growing environmental concerns such as increased garbage accumulation and indiscriminate disposal.
On social empowerment programs, updates were shared on the mobilization of women and youth under initiatives like UWEP, YLP, PDM, and PWD grants. Beneficiaries were reminded to repay funds as expected to ensure the sustainability of these programs. Youth were particularly encouraged to embrace government initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) despite earlier delays in implementation.
Rukungiri Municipality Deputy Town Clerk, Mr. Ampeire Justus, called for stronger cooperation between LC1 chairpersons, Community Development Officers (CDOs), and parish chiefs in planning and executing community projects. He also urged participants to identify essential public priorities that would have a lasting impact on residents.
The Municipality Mayor, Mr. Charles Makuru, emphasized the need for leaders to focus on critical development priorities such as infrastructure, especially roads, and to ensure that all works are done to quality standards. He applauded the leadership of Rukungiri Municipality and District for being recognized among the best-performing local governments nationally.
Mayor Makuru also confirmed that Homeklin Company, previously contracted to handle garbage collection, had failed to deliver and was replaced. The municipality has since taken over the service. He further revealed that the municipality’s current operations are being overseen under a World Bank–funded program managed by USMAID initiative, which aims to modernize urban infrastructure through improved roads, electricity extension, garbage management, and other key services.
The conference concluded with renewed commitment from leaders to ensure inclusive planning, improved revenue collection, and effective implementation of development projects in the coming financial year.
