In Summary: Municipal Planner Patrick Obua presented the estimates at a stakeholders’ meeting, outlining allocations for salaries, operational expenses and development activities. However, the proposed figures contain a Shs101 million discrepancy that requires clarification before the budget is finalised.
Apac, Uganda — Apac Municipal Council has proposed a Shs12.566 billion budget for the 2027/2028 financial year, with the largest allocation intended to cover staff salaries and Shs1.271 billion earmarked for development activities.
The proposed estimates were presented by Municipal Planner Patrick Obua during a stakeholders’ budget meeting held at Mayov Hotel on Wednesday, where local leaders and technical officials discussed the municipality’s priorities for the forthcoming financial year.
Obua said the municipality would largely depend on Central Government transfers to finance its programmes and operational activities.
“Out of the total proposed budget of Shs 12.566 billion, Shs 8.198 billion has been earmarked for wages to cater for the salaries of municipal staff,” Obua told stakeholders.
He said Shs3.198 billion had been proposed for non-wage recurrent expenditure to support the municipality’s day-to-day operations, while Shs1.271 billion would finance development activities.
The proposed allocations place staff remuneration and operational expenses ahead of development spending, raising questions about the resources available for infrastructure and other capital projects across the municipality.
Based on the figures presented, development activities would receive approximately 10.1 per cent of the proposed overall budget, while wages would account for about 65.3 per cent.
Mayor calls for teamwork in budget implementation
Apac Municipal Council Mayor Odongo Bonny Macklin called on the political and technical leadership to strengthen cooperation to ensure the proposed budget delivers its intended objectives.
“The technical and political wings must work closely together to ensure effective implementation of the budget and achievement of the municipality’s development objectives,” Macklin said.
He said teamwork, coordination and collective responsibility were essential to ensuring that government programmes were implemented effectively.
The mayor also urged municipal leaders and technical officials to work together in identifying community needs, setting priorities and monitoring planned activities to ensure public resources respond to residents’ concerns.
Education, health and grassroots priorities
The meeting also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss priorities across different sectors ahead of the next financial year.
Municipal Secretary for Education and Health Peter Bako Ocen was expected to provide guidance on interventions needed to improve access to quality education and strengthen healthcare delivery.
His contribution was expected to highlight challenges affecting public institutions and identify areas requiring attention in the forthcoming financial year.
Akere Division LCIII Chairperson Maxwell Denis Okec was also expected to present community priorities, including infrastructure needs, service delivery gaps and other concerns affecting residents.
The involvement of division leaders is expected to bring grassroots perspectives into the municipal budgeting process and help ensure that proposed allocations reflect local needs.
As Apac prepares for the 2027/2028 financial year, residents will be looking to see whether the proposed spending priorities translate into improvements in roads, education, healthcare and other essential municipal services.
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