Kiryandongo, Uganda: Tensions have emerged between the Kiryandongo District Local Government Administration and its Members of Parliament after district leaders accused the legislators of failing to attend budget conferences for five consecutive years since their election in 2021.
The revelation was made by Mr Julius Balikugira, the District Planner, during a live discussion on Kibanda FM’s “Turning Point” program hosted by Byamugayo Robert on Sunday.
“We have always invited our Members of Parliament officially to attend the district budget conferences, but none has ever appeared in the council hall or even sent a representative,” Mr. Balikugira lamented.
He added that the absence of MPs had created a communication gap between district technocrats and legislators, undermining joint planning and oversight on local development priorities. “As we prepare for the general elections on January 15, 2026, this revelation raises serious questions about representation and accountability in the next campaign,” he said.
MP Retaliate: ‘Attendance Not Mandatory’
In response, Hon. Linos Ngompek, MP for Kibanda North Constituency and NRM District Chairperson, told DailyExpress in a phone interview that parliamentarians are not obligated to attend district budget conferences, describing the meetings as primarily administrative.
“The district generates its own budget, passes it, and forwards it to Parliament, where we appropriate it accordingly,” Hon. Ngompek said. “Unless there is an urgent communication that requires our input, MPs are not mandated to attend such conferences,” he added.
Efforts to reach the other MPs, Hon. Hellen Katusabe and Hon. Jacob Karubanga, were unsuccessful, as repeated calls went unanswered by press time.
The budget conference, held last week at the District Council Hall, was attended by various local leaders and civil society representatives under the theme: “Winners and Losers: Does It Represent the Leap Toward High Middle-Income Status as We Protect the Gains?”
District Chairperson Hon. Edith Adyeri Aliguma commended Kiryandongo Hospital for significant improvements in emergency response and service delivery. “The hospital has improved tremendously. Patients in critical condition now receive immediate attention at newly established emergency sites,” she said.
However, civil society representative Mr. Deogratious Odida raised concern over declining external support to the district, particularly from UNHCR.
“The UNHCR contributed only Shs1 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, which is insufficient for a district hosting over 200,000 refugees,” he said, urging more equitable funding to match the refugee population.
According to the district’s resource envelope for the Financial Year 2026/27, Kiryandongo’s total budget was presented at Shs 38.7 billion, representing a 100 percent performance target.
Officials say the focus will remain on healthcare, education, refugee response, and infrastructure development despite fiscal constraints.
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