By Wilson Manishimwe, Public Relations Expert and Public Policy Analyst

As provided for Section 13 (1) & (2) of the Public Finance Management Act,2015 (Amended), the Finance Ministry has been conducting Local Government Budget Consultations for the Financial Year 2026/27 since September 15th, 2025, in 24 regional centers across the country.

These budget consultative workshops bring together Government technical and political staff at various levels to consult and communicate the Government’s budget strategy for the upcoming Financial Year. I have been following the discussion, but one of the most recurring issues at Local Governments includes inadequate infrastructure, inadequate staffing in schools and health facilities, underfunded agricultural extension services, weak disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, among others.

The persistent challenges have resulted in a substantial gap between the services needed by the people and those provided in service delivery, which have far-reaching implications for Uganda’s development trajectory. Particularly, this gap is widely pronounced in rural areas where access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation, and quality health care is limited.

For instance, communities in Kabarole District in areas such as Karagura, Hakibale, Kibatsi, Kabende, and Kasenda lack access to safe drinking water. According to the March 2025 district survey report, access to drinking water had reduced to 43.6% from 48.3% while access to nearby water. The report also indicates that residents rely on unprotected sources.

In Kabale, according to data from the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), there are infrastructure safety concerns. For instance, Johnson Road, stretching from the former Esso Petrol Station to the Kabale District Local Government offices in Makanga, has had persistent potholes for over two years. In addition, poor road drainage systems have led to blockages caused by debris such as pebbles, mud, and plastic waste.

In Kyotera District, information from Transparency International Uganda indicates that the delayed completion of Nabigasa Health Center III maternity Ward- Nabigasa Health Center III, since the commencement of works in 2020, remains non-functional due to delays in project completion and handover. This has affected access to maternal health services.

In Sembabule District, CSBAG information indicates that there have been delays in delivering microscale irrigation equipment, which has affected 51 farmers due to contractor inefficiencies and financial year constraints, with funds returned to the consolidated account. In addition, although 126 farmers have benefited from the program, challenges persist—solar-powered systems lack batteries, and water sources are unreliable, limiting year-round farming.

In Nebbi District, a devastating hailstorm hit Abongo Primary School in March 2025, damaging classrooms and injuring students. Since the government’s response couldn’t come in time, parents had to foot the bill for the repairs. Many schools face similar challenges that affect vulnerable children’s access to education, hence undermining Uganda’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) program.

To mitigate this, the government should consider establishing an emergency education fund, enforcing climate-resilient building standards, and prioritising inclusive recovery efforts to ensure safe learning environments for all.

Government in the Financial Year 2026/27 budget should prioritise funding critical infrastructure, staffing, improving disaster risk financing, and climate-resilient infrastructure. In addition, there is a need to strengthen local revenue mobilization and fund absorption, enhance transparency and accountability in public service delivery.

In conclusion, by addressing several service delivery constraints through targeted solutions in Local Governments, the lives of citizens will be improved. And as we look forward to the Financial Year 2026/27 National Budget, these priorities will be essential for achieving national development goals.

The writer is a Public Relations Expert and Public Policy Analyst