The offices of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and the District Internal Security Officer (DISO) in Rukungiri District will start paying rent to the district local government beginning in the 2026/2027 financial year.
The resolution was passed during the council meeting held to approve the 2026/2027 financial budget. The matter was first presented by the Social Services Committee before being discussed and later approved by the council.
During the meeting, the District Speaker, James Turyamubona, consulted the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Frederick Byekwaso, on whether it was legally right for the RDC and DISO offices to pay rent to the district yet they are government offices.
In response, Byekwaso said it was not proper for the offices to pay rent because the building was constructed by the government and the officials serve under the government system. However, several councillors supported the proposal, saying they had benchmarked from other districts where such offices pay rent without problem.
Among those who supported the move were female youth councillor and workers’ council representative elect Susan Abisinguza, Bikurungu Town Council councillor Emmanuel Mwebesa, outgoing Ruhinda Sub-county councillor Benson Karyamarwaki, Kebisoni Town Council councillor and district chief whip David Kwebangira, Nyakyishenyi Sub-county councillor Brian Ainebyoona Bantu, Buyanja Sub-county councillor Albert Rwamugata, among others.
The councillors argued that the RDC and DISO offices receive rent allowances from the government and therefore should contribute revenue to the district for occupying district buildings.
They questioned why the offices had stopped paying rent yet they were reportedly paying before shifting to the new district building.
The councillors also noted that the district faces challenges in collecting revenue from its properties because some top government offices are not paying rent. They said leaders should lead by example to encourage other tenants to comply.
Speaker Turyamubona later directed the responsible authorities to ensure that the RDC and DISO offices start paying rent beginning next financial year.
The council also resolved that the Rukungiri Municipality Education Department should start paying rent for occupying space in the district building. Rukungiri District currently has five RDC officials, including the RDC, the deputy RDC, and three assistant RDCs-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com==
