Apac, Uganda: Apac District Council has approved a Shs44.176 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, with education and health sectors receiving the largest allocations amid rising salary commitments, recruitment of new staff and increased central government funding.
The budget was passed during the final sitting of the 11th Council held at the district headquarters and chaired by outgoing District Speaker and Maruzi County MP-elect Peter Obong Acuda.
The session also marked the official dissolution of the 11th Council ahead of the formation of a new district council following recently concluded elections.
According to the approved estimates, the education sector received the largest allocation at Shs12.577 billion, followed by the health sector with Shs11.107 billion. Apac General Hospital was allocated Shs4.322 billion, while Production and Marketing received Shs2.960 billion. Works, Technical and Community-Based Services were allocated Shs2.824 billion.
The budget estimates were presented before council by outgoing Secretary for Finance and Administration Andrew Awany, who said the district had prioritised sectors critical to human development and service delivery.
“This budget responds to the growing demands in education and health, especially on salaries and recruitment of staff to improve services to our people,” Awany told councillors.
He added that increased central government transfers had enabled the district to strengthen key departments and improve operational efficiency.
The final council sitting was marked by emotional reflections as outgoing leaders urged the incoming administration to prioritise unity, cooperation and development over political differences.
Outgoing District Chairperson Odongo Asante called on the incoming leadership to work closely with technical officers and political leaders regardless of political or religious affiliation.
“Leadership is about service to the people and not personal interests. I urge the forthcoming government to cooperate with the technical team and the political wing irrespective of political or religious differences,” Asante said.
LC5 Chairperson-elect Ambrose Agec, who attended the sitting, pledged to continue consulting former leaders and build on the achievements of the outgoing council.
“I believe in teamwork and consultation. Leadership is a continuous process and we can learn a lot from those who served before us,” Agec said.
Secretary for Education and Health Sam Opira welcomed the increased funding to the two sectors, noting that it would help address staffing gaps and improve public services.
Meanwhile, Secretary for Community-Based Services Dorcus Otim called for more investment in programmes targeting vulnerable groups, including women, youth and persons with disabilities.
Outgoing Teboke Sub-county councillor Daudi Odora praised the outgoing council for maintaining stability despite financial challenges and political transitions.
Workers’ representative Geoffrey Okaka appealed to the incoming administration to prioritise staff welfare and timely facilitation to improve service delivery.
In his closing remarks, Speaker Peter Obong Acuda officially dissolved the 11th Council and reassured residents that his election to Parliament would not distance him from district affairs.
“I am not going anywhere. I am only changing my position from district council to Parliament,” Obong said.
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