Amolatar District Budget Conference: CAO Oroma and Chairperson Ogwal Demand Accountability and Pro-Poor Service Delivery
BY ALELE RONALD ONGWECH
AMOLATAR, UGANDA — The leadership of Amolatar District has issued a stern warning to technical staff, demanding a radical shift in focus toward the direct benefit of local communities. This directive dominated the district’s Budget Conference held on Thursday, as officials gathered to strategize for the upcoming Financial Year (FY) 2027-28.
Speaking at the high-level conference, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Mrs. Rohada Oroma, challenged the technical planning teams to ensure that every intervention translates into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary locals. Her sentiments were strongly echoed by the District Chairperson, Morish Ogwal Omara, who declared that every single shilling allocated in the budget must be strictly accounted for and utilized for the betterment of the communities.
Central to the leadership’s agenda was the critical state of local revenue generation. The conference documents revealed severe systemic challenges facing the Finance and Planning departments, including low staffing, an untracked large informal sector, and outdated data systems. Notably, the council currently relies on a severe equipment deficit, with staff forced to share single desktop computers to generate Payment Registration Numbers (PRNs).
To combat these challenges and boost local revenue, the FY 2027-28 priorities will focus heavily on strengthening local revenue mobilization, revenue assessment, and equipping Local Government staff with the Integrated Revenue Administration System (IRAS). The CAO and Chairperson emphasized that revenue leakages caused by corruption and compromised collection systems must be eradicated to fund the district’s ambitious development agenda.
Under the administration sector, the district plans to continue the phased construction of the administration block, moving into the 7th phase, alongside the furnishing of the block to a usable state. The priorities also include completing administration blocks in Local Governments (LLGs), procuring two motorcycles for Information Officers and ICT equipment, and supplying street solar lights.
However, the administration sector continues to face hurdles, including budget shortfalls, low local revenue, and severe understaffing in LLGs, education, and health facilities.
To enhance the health and social well-being of the population, the district has outlined massive infrastructural upgrades for the health sector. Key priorities for the upcoming financial year include the construction of Pit Latrines with bathing shelters at Amolatar HCIV and the construction of a Pediatric Ward.
Further health interventions will see the fencing of District Health Facilities (prioritizing Amolatar HCIV), the construction of staff houses at Abeka sub-county, and the procurement of six laptops for hospital administrators. Crucially, the district plans to construct a new District Vaccine Store.
In the education sector, the focus shifts to improving learning environments. The budget prioritizes the renovation of 15 primary schools and the construction of 5-stance drainable latrines across 14 primary schools. Furthermore, the council plans to construct 2 classroom blocks in 3 primary schools, complete the science laboratory at Namusale Seed Secondary School, and supply 3-seater desks to 40 primary schools.
To stimulate the local economy, the Production and Marketing department has outlined plans to support fish quality management at landing sites and promote fish farming. The district also aims to develop the poultry value chain, strengthen animal breed improvement, and promote climate-smart agricultural technologies and irrigation among local farmers.
In a bid to improve access to clean water, the Water department will focus on drilling hand pump deep boreholes and rehabilitating existing ones, as well as constructing 2 stance drainable latrines.
Meanwhile, the Natural Resources department is set to enforce the 200-meter lakeshore p
About the Author
