By Alex Don

Kyegegwa, Uganda –
Kyegegwa Town Council is scaling up enforcement, public sensitization, and stakeholder engagement in a bid to improve local revenue collection and address long-standing service delivery challenges. This was revealed by Mr. Mugenyi Douglas, the Assistant Town Clerk, during a recent briefing at the council offices.

According to Mr. Mugenyi, the council is mandated to collect UGX 37 million in property rates each financial year. However, only UGX 7 million has been collected so far.

The money we collect locally is used to install solar street lights and facilitate garbage collection across the town. Without these contributions, our ability to maintain a clean and safe environment is seriously hampered, he stated

Tendered Fees and Enforcement

One of the problematic areas is the collection of slaughter fees, which have been tendered out to private contractors. Mr. Mugenyi noted that two butcher operators are defaulting on their obligations and evading payment.

This attitude is unacceptable. We’ve tried engaging them, but if they continue to refuse, we’ll have no option but to shut down their operations and prosecute them under the law, he warned.

He emphasized that the council cannot allow public revenue to be lost due to non-compliance while residents continue to demand services.

Garbage Collection Challenges

Garbage collection in Kyegegwa continues to face several obstacles:

Indiscriminate dumping of waste despite extensive sensitization efforts.

Breakdowns of garbage collection vehicles, leading to irregular service.

Lack of garbage sorting, making waste management less efficient.

Delayed release of local revenue from the central government under the Single Treasury Account system, which often disrupts operations.

We need collective responsibility. Residents must dispose of waste properly. Our garbage truck has been repaired, and going forward, we plan to engage private waste collectors, similar to what is done in Mubende and Mityana, Mugenyi explained.

Illegal Construction and Wetland Encroachment

The Town Council is also battling an increase in illegal building construction, especially over weekends when enforcement is low.

Constructing without approved building plans undermines town planning. We’ve intensified weekend monitoring and urge the public to confidentially report illegal developers to the Town Clerk’s office, said Mugenyi.

He also raised alarm over growing encroachment on wetlands, warning that it endangers ecosystems, agriculture, livelihoods, and food security.

Wetlands must be protected at all costs for sustainable development. Stronger enforcement of environmental regulations is urgently needed, he added.

To streamline and secure the revenue collection process, the Town Council has adopted the Integrated Revenue Administration System (IRAS). All payments for trading licenses, permits, local service tax, advertising, ground rent, hotel tax, and other fees must now be made through this digital platform.

Residents should deposit payments via MTN Mobile Money, then contact the finance department or their Town Agent to generate a Payment Registration Number (PRN), advised Mugenyi.

Kyegegwa Town Council is currently developing its Physical Development Plan (PDP) 2025–2030. The council is holding stakeholder engagement meetings to ensure community needs and aspirations are reflected in the plan.

Revenue is the lifeline of our town services. With everyone’s support, we can build a cleaner, safer, and more organized Kyegegwa Town Council, Mr. Mugenyi concluded.

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