By Ambrose Okwanga I May 8th, 2026
The Council of Lira City has on May 8th, 2026 approved a shs 48.7 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, with the education sector taking the largest share of the allocation.
The budget was presented by the Secretary for Finance and Administration, James Omara Elem, during a council sitting held at Lira Hotel. He said the total budget stands at Shs 48,780,403,000.
Under the approved budget, the education department received the highest allocation of Shs 22.1 billion, followed by administration and with Shs 7.2 billion, works and technical services Shs 5.2 billion, health Shs 4.8 billion, production and marketing Shs 1.2 billion, while both City East and City West divisions received Shs 1.5 billion each.
Omara Elem said the education funds will be used to construct and renovate classroom blocks in schools including Olaka Child Care Primary School, Barapwo Primary School, Akwiaworo Primary School, Railways Primary School and Olaka Annex Primary School. Part of the money will also be used to procure equipment for the education department, including two pickup trucks.
Under works and technical services some roads will be worked on including Bongcao Road 2.5kms at 29 million, Anyomorem to Telela 3.3kms at 33 million, Salim Omacara road 1.5kms at 30million, Swamp section along Amuca SDA to Aida cell at 74 Million among others.
During the same sitting, the council also approved the city’s Physical Development Plan for 29 wards. Deputy mayor Rebecca Alwedo Ogole while presenting the document said that out of the 49 wards in the city, only 20 currently have physical development plans, while 29 wards still lack them.
She noted that the plan will help ensure orderly and lawful urban development.
Lira city Mayor Mayor Sam Atul, said the development plan will help the city address cases of illegal construction, noting that some residents continue to build structures without following regulations.
He added that the council has allocated about Shs 140 million to complete the physical development plans for all wards in the coming financial year.
Speaking about the budget priorities, Atul said the budget aligns with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, which focuses on poverty eradication and socio-economic transformation. He noted that the council prioritized education because of the increasing number of learners, adding that education remains key in fighting poverty.
He also said better roads are needed in the city to support urban growth and improve trade and transport services.
Atul welcomed government efforts to establish museum at Lira University, saying this demonstrates the expected growth of the city in the coming years.
The Resident City Commissioner of Lira City, Lawrence Egole, urged city incoming political leaders to ensure proper implementation of the budget and warned against un-necessary fight that could derail the development.
He also directed the Town Clerk and heads of departments to implement all planned activities, saying this is the only way the city can achieve meaningful development.
Egole applauds the outgoing councillors upon their great work that make Lira city shines, saying that they should be proud of themselves and the work they have done.
“While going back home carry your good leadership skills to and always remember that your are still a leader” Egole added.