The education department has been allocated 14 billion, which will fund key initiatives such as the rehabilitation of two classroom blocks at Hilders Primary School, the construction of a five-stance pit latrine at Onyakai Primary School, the construction of a three-classroom block and a five-stances pit latrine at Soroti Demonstration Primary School, Supply of desks to Otatai and Moruapesur Primary Schools.
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Soroti City leadership pose for a photo after budget approval.
The education sector has taken a lion's share in the budget estimates for the 2025/2026 financial year for Soroti City. The city has allocated nearly half of its budget to the education sector.
The approved budget is 27.2 billion Shillings, marking an increase from last year's allocation of 25 billion.
This was presented by Hellen Amongin, the Secretary of Finance, Planning, Administration, and Investment, during a council plenary session on Thursday.
Amongin revealed that the city plans to raise 3 billion from local revenue, expects 24 billion Shillings from the central government, and 14 million Shillings in external financing.
The education department has been allocated 14 billion, which will fund key initiatives such as the rehabilitation of two classroom blocks at Hilders Primary School, the construction of a five-stance pit latrine at Onyakai Primary School, the construction of a three-classroom block and a five-stances pit latrine at Soroti Demonstration Primary School, Supply of desks to Otatai and Moruapesur Primary Schools. In the previous financial year (2024/2025), the education department received Shs 12 billion.
The works department saw a decrease in its allocation from 3 billion Shillings in 2024/2025 to 2 billion for the next financial year. This budget supports various projects, including street lighting maintenance, road construction, and drainage system completion.
The health sector's budget has seen a slight increase, from 2.6 billion Shillings in 2024/2025 to 2.9 billion. The money will be used to complete the Moruapesur Health Centre III and purchase furniture for the Health Department office block.
Amongin commended technical officers for their timely resource management, which facilitated swift budget approval.
The administration budget has also increased from 2.8 billion Shillings in 2024/2025 to 3.4 billion, intended for general staff salaries, pensions, gratuity, and allowances.
Juliet Agonyo, the Speaker of Soroti City Council, expressed optimism that the budget will significantly enhance service delivery in education, infrastructure, administration, water, and sanitation. She noted that 75% of projects initiated during the 2023-2025 period have been completed, with ongoing efforts to achieve 100% completion as funding allows.
The Soroti City Mayor Joshua Edogu praised the council for maintaining a peaceful working environment, contrasting it with previous councils that struggled with disorder. He emphasized the importance of technical officers’ presence in council meetings and urged them to mobilize resources to improve service delivery in their sectors mostly the education department.
Edogu reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the effective utilization of the allocated funds, signalling a strategic investment in Soroti City’s future and an optimistic outlook for improved services for its residents.
Moris OKwi
Freelancer