local government 7 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Nebbi Councillors Convene on Veranda as Hall Construction Remains Stalled
Nebbi Municipality councillors are holding council sessions on a veranda and under a tent due to the prolonged stalled construction of their administrative block, which began over two decades ago. Insufficient funding is cited as the primary reason for the delay, leaving officials seeking financial assistance. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/stalled-hall-construction-forces-councillors-to-meet-on-veranda-5623672
For over 20 years, the construction of Nebbi Municipality’s administrative block has been at a standstill, forcing councillors to conduct their official business in makeshift arrangements. The building, intended to house council chambers and offices, commenced construction in 2002 but has been plagued by a severe lack of funds.
This financial deficit has led to cramped working conditions, with councillors resorting to meeting on a veranda and under a tent. Municipal Speaker Eddy Jawoko expressed shame over the situation, highlighting the irony of collecting revenue for development while lacking a proper facility. He urged for the speedy completion of the building to accommodate an increasing number of technical staff.
The Town Clerk, Samson Nsambwa, acknowledged the funding gap, stating that there is no budget, supplementary or otherwise, for the stalled project. He appealed to staff to continue sharing limited office space.
Mayor Jackline Opar noted that the increase in technical staff, partly due to the Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) Programme, has exacerbated the space crisis. The council is actively seeking financial bailouts from government offices and development partners to secure the estimated Shs2 billion needed to complete the structure. A concerning alternative is that if engineers deem the current structure unsafe, demolition and a new construction could cost up to Shs4 billion.
Residents have voiced frustration, with John Okumu calling it unacceptable to see council debates held in such rudimentary conditions, especially given the municipality’s growth. Meanwhile, the Municipal Secretary for Finance and Economic Planning, Poline Orochi, pointed to issues with revenue collection, alleging that some collectors are not remitting funds properly, hindering the generation of local revenue needed for development projects.