Buganda Kingdom (Lukiiko) has today approved a budget of Shs109.7 billion on which the kingdom will run its activities in the next financial year.
Speaking while presenting the budget, the Kingdom Finance Minister, Owek. Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, the biggest chunk of the budget (Shs18.08b) will go towards development and investment projects followed by investment in cooperatives (Shs16.2 billion), education (Shs15.4 billion) and communications (Shs11.87 billion).
The other priorities include Treasury operations with an allocation of Shs 9.1 billion, renovation Shs 3.98 billion, local governments Shs 3.8 billion, salaries Shs 3.7 billion, agriculture Shs 2.22 billion and health Shs1.26 billion among others.
The Kingdom will focus on completing the proposed shopping village at Kasangati Ssaza land and construction of Ndiwulira building at Makindye sub-county offices. Nsibirwa said these and other projects will generate more income for the Kingdom and at the same time create jobs.
He further noted that under the education docket, the Kingdom will build hostels for students at Buganda Royal Institute of Business and Technical Education (BRIBTE) and Lubiri High School, Buloba, get a charter for Muteesa I Royal University, continue with issuance of bursaries and renovate Bbowa Secondary and Vocational School among others.
Nsibirwa also said under health, the Kingdom will continue the fight against HIV/AIDs, start the Buganda medical store and an insurance company.
The budget will be financed with funds from Envujjo, Busuulu and Kanzu (UGX 15 billion), debt payment from the Central government (UGX 3 billion), student payments (UGX 15.33 billion), development partners (UGX 32.2 billion), sports activities (UGX 3.1 billion), Buganda Certificates and Kingdom portraits (UGX 550 million), communication stations (UGX 13.5 billion), tourism (UGX 901 million) and cooperatives (UGX 16.1 billion) among others.
