Uganda has urged local governments to strengthen financial discipline and improve the use of public funds as consultations begin on the country’s 2027/28 budget, the Ministry of Local Government said on Monday.
Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara said the budget should respond to the needs of communities and translate into better public services.
He made the remarks while opening a regional budget consultative workshop in Mbale City attended by officials from several local governments in eastern Uganda.
“These discussions should not remain on paper,” Barugahara said, calling for stronger planning, budgeting, monitoring and value for money in local government spending.
He identified staff shortages, recruitment and deployment challenges, inadequate classrooms, overcrowding in schools and limited road equipment among the main constraints facing local governments.
Barugahara singled out shortages of qualified science teachers as a particular concern.
The workshop is also examining implementation of the current 2026/27 budget, with Minister of State for Planning Amos Lugoloobi delivering remarks on behalf of the Finance Minister.
Lugoloobi highlighted persistent staff absenteeism, weak performance and the return of unspent wage funds despite staffing shortages as issues requiring attention.
The concerns point to a gap between budget allocations and their implementation at local government level, with authorities being urged to improve planning and utilisation of available resources.
The consultations bring together local governments including Kumi, Serere, Ngora, Kapchorwa, Sironko, Bukedea, Buikwe, Kumi Municipality and Kapchorwa Municipality.
The regional meetings are part of Uganda’s preparations for the 2027/28 national budget and are intended to gather local priorities and identify service-delivery challenges before the next financial year’s spending plans are finalised.
