Written By |
Artistic impression of intended Mbarara district local government headquarters in Bwizibwera Kashari once completed
Search
Mbarara —
Mbarara District Local Government has announced that the 2026/27 financial year will be prioritized for the construction and completion of its new administration block in Bwizibwera, a project estimated to cost up to Shs 15 billion. The district has been operating without its own headquarters since 2020, when the creation of Mbarara City placed its administrative offices at Kamukuzi within city boundaries, leaving many residents — especially those in rural areas — with limited access to services.
Mbarara district local government stakeholders attending the budget conference on Thursday
Chairman Tabaro Rallies for Self-Reliance
Speaking during the district’s 2026/27 Budget Conference, District Chairman Didas Tabaro called for unity and financial commitment towards the project, which is currently at ground slab level. He revealed that the council resolved to allocate the largest share of local revenue to the construction, with Shs 1.5 billion already committed this financial year.
“One of our flagship projects is the administration block in Bwizibwera. As council, we agreed that the biggest percentage of local revenue should be allocated to this project. We have already committed Shs 1.5 billion this financial year to ensure we complete it and relocate,” Tabaro said.
Didas Tabaro, Mbarara district LC V
People attending Mbarara district budget conference on t=Thursday at Adit Mall located in Mbarara City
He appealed to the Ministry of Finance to allocate financial support to districts that lost assets and headquarters during the creation of new cities.
“Government should at least commit Shs 15 billion to districts that gave birth to cities so they can construct new headquarters,” he added. Tabaro also urged lower local governments to increase local revenue generation — through initiatives such as livestock markets — instead of depending solely on central government transfers.
He warned leaders against politicizing developmental projects, citing those who opposed the proposed regional zoo and the Health Training Institute. “Let us not put politics in projects that benefit our district,” he cautioned.
CAO outlines funding plan and project status
The Chief Administrative Officer, David Muhwezi, confirmed that aggressive revenue mobilization is underway to support the four-storey project.
Key funding sources include:
The district also plans to organize a major fundraising event and invite President Yoweri Museveni to mobilize additional support.
Mbarara district Local govenrmnet budget conference at Adit Mall
MP Calls for Protection of District Assets
Kashari North MP Bazil Bataringaya urged the district to safeguard assets left at Kamukuzi, including Kakyeka Stadium, to ensure compensation and continued revenue generation.
He proposed temporary use of the properties for revenue-driven ventures such as tourism or hospitality until the central government concludes the compensation process.
“Let us protect those buildings until government decides. They are our starting point for local revenue, and we must not lose them,” Bataringaya emphasized.
He defended the creation of more town councils as a strategy to expand local governments’ share of the national budget, citing Nyabisirira Town Council’s increased funding from Shs 100 million to Shs 500 million.
Theme: Monetizing Uganda’s Economy
The district’s budget conference aligned local priorities with the national theme for FY 2026/27: “Full Monetization of Uganda’s Economy”, which seeks to ensure that short-term interventions contribute to long-term national development.
Torch Media Africa
