Soroti, Uganda | Soroti City Authority has unveiled a Shs40 billion budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027, with officials warning that inadequate funding and lack of equipment continue to affect service delivery and urban development.
The budget was presented during a conference held on November 12, 2025, at the Soroti City Council Hall, bringing together council members, technical officers, and partners from organisations such as AIC, TASO, TEDDO, Centenary Bank, and Housing Finance Bank.
Acting City Planner Andrew Iteba said the budget will guide the next five-year development plan, with a significant boost from the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) grant, which contributes Shs13 billion.
“This year’s city budget is Shs27 billion, but with the USMID grant, the total rises to Shs40 billion,” Iteba said. “Most of the funds will go toward infrastructure development, particularly roads, street lighting, and other city facilities.”
The city plans to undertake several projects in FY2026/27, including:
- Construction of a modern abattoir in Akisim
- Development of markets in Pamba and Kichinjaji
- 9.5km of roadworks across divisions
- Construction of Aliabu Road and installation of traffic lights
- Development of a children’s park in Akisim
- Construction of a taxi and bus terminal, council hall, and stadium fencing
- Upgrading of Princess Diana Health Centre IV
- Purchase of road equipment, renovation of teachers’ houses, and restoration of Agora Wetland
Iteba said the city aims to promote participatory planning by involving communities in identifying priorities and aligning them with the Vision 2040 and NDP III frameworks.
Deputy Town Clerk Joseph Mwesigwa said the purpose of the conference was to agree on priorities and prepare the Budget Framework Paper for submission to the Ministry of Finance.
“When we do things the right way, the government appreciates our efforts,” he said.
Mayor Joshua Edogu commended the cooperation between departments and partners, saying the city’s focus this year is on commercial agriculture, industrialization, and digital expansion.
He, however, said the lack of equipment and operational funding remains a major constraint.
“We still hire road equipment from other districts, which increases costs and delays projects,” Edogu said.
He also cited other challenges such as non-implementation of council resolutions, arrears, limited office space, and transport shortages.
Edogu thanked the central government for donating three double-cabin pickups and supporting programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), under which Shs7 billion has been disbursed in Soroti.
Deputy Resident City Commissioner Clare Ayipo urged the city leadership to raise more local revenue and act with the responsibility expected of a city administration.
“We need to work hard to ensure our revenue sources increase because we are a city,” she said. “We should not act like a municipality.”
Ayipo also advised departments to promote commercial agriculture, enforce physical planning regulations, and curb wetland encroachment.
Soroti City, which attained city status in 2020, continues to face challenges of underfunding, limited staffing, and equipment shortages that hinder effective service delivery.
Officials say the new budget is designed to strengthen urban infrastructure, create jobs, and promote local economic growth despite the resource constraints.
