Wages Eat into the Skin of Zombo's Shs38bn Budget

What the report says

Zombo District has proposed a Shs37.7 billion budget for the 2027/28 financial year, with most of it going to wages, according to a report by Nile Post. The district’s indicative plan was presented at a budget conference that brought together local leaders, technical staff, civil society groups and other stakeholders to review spending priorities for the coming year.

The proposed allocations show Shs23.9 billion, or 63.3 percent, set aside for salaries. Another Shs9.17 billion is planned for non-wage recurrent costs such as operations, while only Shs2.99 billion, or 7.9 percent, is earmarked for development projects. Locally raised revenue is projected at Shs1.72 billion, and the district said it expects no external financing.

The report says the low development share has renewed concern about whether local governments can fund roads, schools, health facilities and other infrastructure while also meeting wage obligations. Zombo Chief Administrative Officer Robert Abanaitwe warned that spending challenges such as absenteeism, procurement delays, cost overruns and poor maintenance can prevent funds from improving services. He also noted that some wage money is returned unused even as staffing gaps remain in facilities.

District planner Louis Ogwang said the budget would align with government’s Tenfold Growth Strategy and focus on agro-industrialisation, tourism, mineral development and science and technology. Participants at the conference also raised concerns about poor roads, inadequate latrines, staffing shortages and registry inefficiencies. The budget process is part of wider consultations ahead of the district’s Budget Framework Paper, which is due before submission in November 2026.