By Henry Okello
TORORO
The Tororo District Council on Wednesday, 6th May, 2026 approved a Shs97 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year in a stormy session marred by procedural breaches, missing documents, and bitter clashes among councillors.
The sitting, chaired by District Speaker Betty Andera, degenerated into confusion after the budget was declared passed despite three glaring omissions: councillors had not received copies of the budget, the motion had no formal seconder, and the district procurement plan had not been approved beforehand.
“We are passing a budget we have not seen. How is that legal?” one councillor shouted as tempers flared in the chambers.
Several members described the process as “opaque” and “flawed,” questioning its legitimacy.
The same session also approved a string of land allocations to government entities including the Resident District Commissioner’s office, NIRA, the High Court, the Inspectorate of Government, and UNATU. Yet only NIRA’s request was listed on the official order paper.
Councillors warned that the approved allocations lacked basic details such as location and size of the land.
“This is a recipe for abuse,” said one member. “You cannot allocate land without knowing where it is or how big it is.”
Nagongera Town Council District Councillor Obbo Oketch, popularly known as Jascience, led the backlash against the council leadership.
He accused Speaker Betty Andera and LC5 Chairperson John Okea of having “vested interests” in the land allocations.
“How do you pass a Shs 97 billion budget without documents, without a seconder, without a procurement plan?” Obbo asked.
Despite the objections, Speaker Andera declared the budget passed and adjourned the sitting.
In his defence, District Chairperson John Okea insisted the land allocations were meant to spur development. “These allocations will bring services closer to our people,” he said. “The RDC, IGG, High Court — all these institutions need space to serve Tororo better.”
