Rukiga District Returns Sh500 Million Unspent Amid Road, Health Woes

RUKIGA, Uganda — Rukiga District Local Government returned 500 million shillings in unspent funds to the Treasury at the close of the 2025/2026 financial year, even as persistent service delivery challenges plague residents across the district. The district operated on an approved budget of 28.2 billion shillings.

District Chairperson Simon Mutebi Rwamagyenda said part of the unspent money had been earmarked for salaries and key development projects, including road construction, education and agricultural programs. He blamed the poor absorption on negligence by some government officials, weak supervision of district activities and delays in implementing government programs.

Mutebi also faulted some political leaders, saying they lost commitment to their duties after losing hope of re-election, leading to poor planning and delayed project execution. He said the delays have crippled critical sectors such as roads, water and education, leaving several planned projects incomplete.

Mutebi said the district leadership is now prioritizing stronger management and monitoring of government programs by ensuring contracts go to competent contractors capable of completing projects within stipulated timelines. He added that political leaders and technical staff would work more closely to ensure public funds are fully used for residents’ benefit.

The district’s inability to fully use its budget comes as residents continue to demand improved infrastructure, particularly roads, which they say are essential for accessing health care, markets and other basic services.

In Rwamucucu Sub-county, residents and local leaders are questioning why the district has failed to open the 10-kilometre Murukiri-Nyohorirwe-Butambi-Noozi road. The road would link Noozi Parish in Rukiga District to Nyamweru Sub-county in neighbouring Rubanda District, despite years of promises.

Residents say the road would improve access for communities in Nyakiju, Kibale, Kanywero, Katungu, Kabumbiro, Nyaruhanga, Kabingo, Nyohorirwe, Kakyenaga, Keitankombe, and Nyakihanga.

They add that the lack of a motorable road has forced families to continue transporting patients to health facilities on traditional stretchers, locally known as Engozi.

Medius Kyaritorana, a resident of Nyohorirwe Village in Noozi Parish, said she lost her twins on June 19, 2026, while being carried on an Engozi to Mparo Health Centre IV because there was no accessible road. She believes the babies could have survived had a proper road enabled her to reach the health facility in time.

Another resident, Edinah Atuyambe, said she sustained injuries after the people carrying her on an Engozi to Mparo Health Centre IV for delivery slipped and fell on the steep terrain. Ephraim Muhoozi, another resident, said it takes nearly two hours on foot to reach the nearest trading centre to buy necessities such as salt because of the poor road network.

Jimmy Kawaida, the Chairperson of Mparo Town Council, and Rolland Magaba, the LC III Chairperson of Rwamucucu Sub-county, said another resident, Henry Rwehimba, recently died after falling from an Engozi while being rushed to Mparo Health Centre IV for treatment. The leaders added that although the area is a major producer of sorghum, onions, and beans, farmers struggle to transport their produce to markets because of the poor road network.

In contrast, neighbouring Kabale District recorded a 99.9 per cent budget absorption rate during the 2025/2026 financial year. Kabale District Chief Administrative Officer Robert Mugabe said the district returned less than 100,000 Shillings to the Treasury out of its 58 billion Shillings budget, reflecting near-total utilisation of the allocated funds.

Mugabe said this was a significant improvement from the 2024/2025 financial year, when the district returned 140 million Shillings after funds allocated for the rehabilitation of the Rukurura Water Project in Butanda Sub-county remained unspent due to corruption-related challenges.

He attributed the improved performance to stronger coordination among district stakeholders and more effective implementation of government programmes. Mugabe added that the district is well prepared to efficiently utilise its 63 billion Shillings budget for the 2026/2027 financial year.