MBARARA CITY— The Ministry of Local Government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has opened a training workshop at Las Vegas Hotel in Mbarara, running from 2–6 November 2026, aimed at strengthening the ability of local governments to mobilise and manage their own-source revenue.
The workshop is intended to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills to develop Local Revenue Enhancement Plans (LREPs) for FY 2026/27–2031/32.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Onesmus Mulondo, Programme Specialist – LG-PFM at the Ministry of Local Government, emphasised the need to strengthen financial sustainability, noting that own-source revenue contributes less than 5% of local government budgets on average, with approximately 3% in rural district local governments and 17% in municipal councils.
The Permanent Secretary expressed concern over local governments’ heavy reliance on central government transfers, which account for more than 90% of their budgets, citing low revenue collections, weak taxpayer compliance, inadequate revenue administration systems and revenue leakages among the persistent challenges.
He outlined four priorities to guide the development of the plans: digitalisation of revenue administration, widening the revenue base, comprehensive taxpayer registration, and strengthening accountability and public confidence.
The Mbarara training brings together representatives from ten district local governments: Bushenyi, Kitagwenda, Rubirizi, Mitooma, Rukiga, Buhweju, Rwampara, Kazo, Lyantonde and Masaka.
