Katabi town council held its budget conference for FY 26/27 at the town council headquarters in Kitala with the aim of preparation of a budget framework paper for the town council, taking into consideration balanced development, gender and equity responsiveness in consultation with the different stakeholders.
The consultative meeting also provided performance for FY 2024/25 and the first quarter of FY 2025/26 as well as discussed issues affecting service delivery, provided the Government’s Strategic Direction and the Budget Strategy for FY 2025/2026; and disseminated Indicative Planning Figures (IPFs), and Grant programme Guidelines for the preparations of the FY 2026/2027 Budget.
This year’s theme: “Sustain and Accelerate inclusive economic growth, the budget preparations for thefiscal year 2025/2026 and the medium-termn will focus on full monetization of Economy of Katabi Town Council through: Commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding & Broadening Services, Digital Transformation & Market Access.”
The Katabi Town Council chairperson, Ronald Kalema, in his opening remarks, highlighted that this year’s budget conference kick-starts the consultations on the Budgeting and planning process for the next financial year 2025/2026, which is the fifth year of implementation of the third National Development Plan (NDPIII).
“This consultation builds on the government’s long-standing desire of promoting broad stakeholder’s involvement in the planning process, transparency, and accountability in allocation and utilization of public resources and ensuring that the budget reflects the views and aspiration of all the people of Katabi,” he said.
The town council boss emphasised the importance of collaboration and collective ownership, saying, “Our budget is not just a financial document; it’s a blueprint for our community’s development and growth. It outlines values, priorities and vision for the future. Your contributions will help us identify areas of focus, prioritise initiatives and ensure that our budget is responsive to the needs of the community.”
“As we work together, let’s keep in mind the impact of our decisions on the lives of our citizens. Together we will craft a budget that supports our community’s growth, development and wellbeing. A budget that invests in our people, infrastructure, and services. A budget that promotes prosperity, equity, and sustainability.”
The Katabi Development Plan (KDPIV) identifies the need to bring service delivery closer to the people by strengthening the Wards as the lowest planning unit and an operational hub for all government services.
The town council boss also pointed out different achievements in the last financial year including the phased construction of the new town council Headquarters in Kitala, 3-classroom block constructed at Bulega P/S in Bulega cell, Nalugalaward, Boundary opening of land at plot 677 Block 438 at Abayita market toenable market valuation, Valuation of land on Block 438 plot 525 intended for extension of Abayita Ababiri Market, Valuation of Kawuku market, Bench making of Fort Portal City on waste management by the council and technical staff, purchase of land for the extension of Abayita Ababiri market, and major road works done (routine mechanized maintenance 35.4km, andRoutine manual 19.1km) in all wards among other achievements.
“Gobbaobwavu Kumuluka, a Community Driven Development Programme where Katabi Town Council, under my lead, has supported community initiatives, has given out grants and funds to over 950 beneficiaries within the Town Council, with 8 groups expected to benefit this Financial year,” he added.
The Town Clerk of Katabi Town Council, Saudah Namala explained that in Katabi, service delivery isn’t limited to the technical staff or the politicians, but to all the stakeholders in their various involvements and therefore encouraged participants to actively contribute to the future of the town council.
“I implore you to pay interest in ensuring that your departmental budgets are in line with the priorities of the Government to grow the town council tenfold in line with the Strategic Direction in the NDPIV,” she said.
Alex Dramaza, the councillor and chairperson of the health committee at Katabi town council, urged all stakeholders to prioritise such meetings and provide feedback to ensure improved service delivery within the town council.
In the budget conference, the key participants included both the state and non-state actors operating in Katabi Town Council. Participants focused on prioritising challenges that hinder sustainable development and proposing probable interventions to overcome the challenges.
The budget conference, is prepared in accordance with section 7 (1 and 2), and (a) and (b) of the Public Finance Management Regulations of 2016, for the preparation of Budget framework papers for the Financial Year 2026/2027.
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