Lira, Uganda, May 30, 2025 – The Lira City West Council meeting to approve the 2025/2026 financial year budget was adjourned until Monday, June 2, 2025, after intense debates exposed significant discrepancies in the proposed financial figures.

Held at Hotel Protocol Amuca, the session underscored concerns about the budget’s accuracy, particularly a reported shortfall of over UGX 1 billion in local revenue.

Speaker Daniel Okello directed the revenue accountant and team to correct errors before resubmitting the budget for approval. The council aims to review potential amendments to ensure alignment with the division’s needs.

Bonny Otim, Councilor for Obutowelo Ward, highlighted that the council depends on 20% of locally collected revenue, but initial calculations revealed a shortfall exceeding UGX 1 billion. Otim noted the revenue accountant’s absence during the meeting, raising questions about accountability.

Lydia Akello, a councilor for Junior Quarters and Kirombe and a finance committee member, praised colleagues for identifying discrepancies. She revealed that nearly UGX 1 billion of the projected UGX 3 billion budget was not scrutinized during finance committee meetings, casting doubt on the budget’s transparency.

The proposed budget, presented by Hon. Amolo Rose Ongom, Secretary for Finance, Planning, and Administration, projects total revenue of UGX 4,140,741,116 for Lira City West Division. However, the reported shortfall and lack of scrutiny over significant portions fuel skepticism about these figures. Below is a summary of the revenue projections and expenditure allocations:

Expenditure priorities include administration and finance, with significant allocations for transfers to Lira City (UGX 1,625,000,000) and local councils (UGX 437,000,000). A notable expense is the UGX 160,000,000 double cabin pickup for administration, though critics question its priority over urgent needs like health center expansions or addressing classroom shortages, where some students still sit on the floor.

The budget emphasizes sustainable industrialization and inclusive growth, aligning with national goals. However, the shortfall, reliance on automated systems like the Integrated Revenue Administration System (IRAS), and a drastic reduction in park user fee revenue—from UGX 540 million in 2015/2016 to UGX 30 million annually—raise concerns about financial sustainability. The council’s expanded jurisdiction, now covering former Adyel Division, Ojwina Division, and Lira Sub-County, adds pressure to deliver.

As the council reconvenes, stakeholders demand greater transparency and oversight to ensure the budget addresses the division’s priorities effectively.

Written by

Francis Oyet

Oyet Francis Opwonya, known commonly as Francis L’Oyet is a Ugandan South Sudanese investigative journalist and software engineer. Oyet is the founder and CEO of Oyet Broadcasting Services (OBS Network), an innovation hub and headquarters of The Northern Press in Uganda and The Malakal Press, located in Malakal City, Upper Nile State in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan

Copyright ©2025 The Northern Press Bureau of Investigation and Publication. All Rights Reserved