By Mike Rwothomio

On May 27, 2025, Zombo District Council approved a budget of UGX 34,667,794,238 for the 2025/26 fiscal year, aligning with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV (NDP IV).

The budget prioritizes sectors to foster economic diversification, employment generation, and poverty alleviation, consistent with the national theme: "Full Monetization of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation, and Market Access."

Sectoral Allocations and Economic Implications

The budget allocates resources to maximize economic returns and social welfare:

Education: UGX 15 billion (43%) – The largest allocation, targeting human capital development to enhance long-term productivity and innovation, critical for sustained economic growth.

Health: UGX 7.2 billion (21%) – Investments to improve healthcare access, reduce morbidity-related productivity losses, and bolster labor force participation.

Administration: UGX 5 billion (14.6%) – Funding to strengthen governance and institutional efficiency, reducing transaction costs and creating an enabling environment for economic activity.

Production and Marketing: UGX 2.5 billion (7.4%) – Support for agricultural productivity and market linkages to drive rural income growth and agro-industrial development.

Other Sectors: The remaining budget supports infrastructure, water, natural resources, and community-based service.

Mustafa Ongom, Secretary for Finance, Planning, and Administration, presented the budget, emphasizing its alignment with sectoral objectives to meet high-demand outputs.

“This budget reflects Zombo’s commitment to achieving program goals in education, health, production, roads, water, natural resources, and community services,” Ongom stated, commending the standing committees for their contributions.

The budget aims to stimulate economic activity, enhance productivity, and improve living standards, contributing to Uganda’s vision of economic transformation.

It leverages key growth drivers to boost district-level GDP and align with national development goals.

Challenges and Council Deliberations.

During the plenary, Councilor David Arua of Jangokoro Sub-County raised concerns about persistent issues at Jangokoro Health Center III, including inadequate staff housing and lack of clean water, criticizing the health department’s omission of these priorities.

Councilor Francis Bolingo of Athuma echoed concerns about water access at the facility.

Ora County MP Songa Biyika Lawrence advised councilors to address such issues during committee planning and budget conferences rather than post-approval. He advocated for participatory and robust budget implementation, urging councilors to sensitize communities about government programs like LoCAL and the Smart Agriculture Project to enhance livelihoods.

The 2025/26 budget is designed to deliver measurable economic outcomes through Employment Creation, Local Economic Growth, Improved Infrastructure and Services.

By aligning with NDP IV’s goal of growing Uganda’s economy tenfold by 2040, the budget lays a foundation for structural transformation and inclusive growth.

Leadership Perspectives

Zombo LCV Chairperson James Oruna Oyullu praised the collaborative efforts behind the budget, calling for “joint coordination” among councilors, technocrats, and stakeholders to drive implementation.

MP Songa Biyika Lawrence of Ora County , highlighted transformative government initiatives, urging community engagement to maximize impact.

MP Songa Biyika Lawrence of Ora County, advocated for participatory and robust budget implementation, urging councilors to sensitize communities about government programs.

Assistant Resident District Commissioner Bruno Manano emphasized rigorous oversight, stating, “Effective governance is the backbone of economic progress. Let’s ensure robust monitoring of project implementation.” 

Council Speaker Hassan Ringtho reinforced the need for enhanced coordination and supervision to ensure equitable growth.

Looking Ahead.

From 2025/26, Uganda will implement accelerator actions to drive economic growth, including agro-industrialization, tourism, mineral-based industries (including oil and gas), and advancements in science, technology, innovation, ICT, and creative arts.

Zombo’s budget positions the district to capitalize on these priorities, fostering local and regional economic momentum.

By prioritizing human capital, agricultural productivity, and institutional efficiency, Zombo’s 2025/26 budget is a strategic step toward economic empowerment and alignment with Uganda’s long-term development vision.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa