RUKUNGIRI DISTRICT PRESENTS BUDGET OF UGX 42.9 B, EDUCATION GIVEN FIRST PRIORITY

By Ronald Kabanza
www.mknewslink.com
In Rukungiri

Rukungiri district local government will prioritize education health and works in the next financial year 2020-2021.
Presenting the budget estimates for the 2020-2021 financial year to the district council yesterday, the finance secretary and Nyakagyeme sub- county district councilor, Frank Karenzi said the priority will be education followed by health and works.
The council chaired by district speaker James Turyamuboona had ordered the sergeant at arms to make sure no one enters the meeting without wearing a face mask.
Karenzi said in the coming financial year that the district plans to spend 42.9 b where sh. 77.6 million will be raised locally and shs.41.2 is expected from the central government.
In education, the district plans to spend shs.22.8 billion and expects to spend 900 million on the completion of seed schools in Kebisoni and Nyakishenyi sub- counties then pay teachers’ salaries of two schools in Bwambara sub- County which have been taken up by the government.
In health, the district plans to spend shs.6.7 billion on completing and upgrading of 4 health centers IVs in the district that is Buyanja health center III in Buyanja sub- county, Nyakishenyi health centerIII, Nyarushanje health center III and up grading of Rukungiri health center IV to a district hospital status.
In works department, the district plans to spend 1.3 billion on completion of the long waited Kahengye water project and the two irrigation schemes in Bwambara and Bugangari sub- Counties .
“The district will also finalize the construction works at bridge in Bwambara sub- county and routine maintance of inter district link roads among other works related projects”. Karenzi said.
Other district departments were allocated as follows: Administration was given shs. 7.6 Billion, Finance shs.556 million, Statutory bodies shs.966 million, production and marketing shs.1.2 billion, Water shs. 51.4 million, Natural resources shs.40.1 million, Community based services shs.371 million, planning shs.141 million, Internal Audit shs.115 million and trade, industry and local development shs.5o.5 millions.
In 2018-19 financial year, the district operated on a budget of shs. 36.5 billion, 2019-2020 financial year on a budget of 38.7 billion and this financial year the district is expected to operate on a budget of 42.9 billion which shows a sign of increment every financial year.
Elias Byamungu, the District Chief Administrative Officer told the council that the increase of budget every financial year is brought by increased salaries brought by recruitment of new district staff saying that the district spends over shs.23 billion on salaries alone.
Byamungu added that the district also spends shs. 5 billion on pension and gratitude while shs. 900 million will added to the completion of Kebisoni seed school thus budget increment is expected every financial year.
Charles Andrewson Katebire, the district chairperson welcomed the budget with a smile on his face saying that for every district to develop, education and health must be given a priority adding that once people are educated and living healthy, development is a sure deal.
However ,Peter Tuhairwe councilor representing Western division in the district council told our reporter that much as education is key in development , health was supposed to be given the first priority urging that once school going children fall sick ,they will not be able to attend schools on a daily basis.
In accordance with section 77 of the local government act, local governments are obliged to formulate , approve and execute their budget and plans , provided the budget shall be balanced.

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